December 14, 2015

Getting Enough Sleep Over the Holidays: REM-Fit Review

Disclosure: I received REM-Fit in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

It can be really hard for me to get a good night’s sleep — especially during the holiday months, when both my work and life can get pretty hectic. Plus, I really need my sleep now that I’ve stepped up my fitness game: running 3-4 times a week, Pilates, and ballet (although, for now, ballet is on a hiatus for the holidays — more on that later).

So I jumped at the chance when Fitfluential offered me the opportunity to check out the following products to see if they would help with my sleep issues:

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I’ve struggled a lot lately to find the perfect pillow that would help me sleep better (especially since I can get quite grumpy when I don’t get enough sleep!). I’ve bought really stiff pillows to see if they would help (they didn’t), I’ve also had really fluffy pillows that were huge (that wasn’t great either). However, REM-Fit’s 300 series pillow has been great so far, and the perfect combination of the two: the right amount of fluffiness and stiffness as well as the perfect height. I’ve been calling it my “Goldilocks” pillow for being jusssssssssssst right. It’s been the perfect fit for me and has helped me sleep a lot better, whether I sleep on my stomach (yes, I know its bad for you, but it happens), my side, or on the rare occasion, my back.

Things I love about this pillow:

  • It’s adjustable: There’s cute little fiber-fill on the inside that you can leave in or take out to get the pillow to the perfect height for you. I like to leave it all in, but it’s nice to have options, too.
  • It’s cool: There’s a ton of features that help keep this pillow a nice, cool temperature.
  • It helps protect against allergens: Allergies are my worst enemy, pretty much year round, so I love this feature. A lot.

REM-Fit also sent me a sleep/activity tracker that’s been great for tracking my sleeping progress as well as my many activities. I also love that it has a watch face, which my previous tracker did not.

So if you’re looking for a great gift for the athletes in your life and you know they struggle to get the perfect night’s sleep — REM-Fit might be the perfect fit for them. Plus, you can use my code, KG20, for 20% off in the REM-FIT store!

How do you make sure you get enough sleep when life gets busy?

Disclosure: I received REM-Fit in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Filed Under: Ballet, Reviews, Running Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment
August 31, 2015

How Hemp Oil can improve your recovery time [review]

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of CW Botanicals. The opinions and text are all mine.

Hey readers! I know its been awhile since I’ve posted, but it’s because I’ve been super super busy, and working on getting back into running, in addition to our crazy dance schedule. We had a performance back at the end of July and I’ve been working pretty hard.

20150830_103725I was recently offered a chance to try CW Botanicals Chocolate Mint Hemp Oil (note: Hemp oil is completely legal and safe for over-the-counter use as it is derived from hemp, not marijuana or medical.) I’ve always been interested about the possible benefits of Hemp products when I see them when out shopping and this was the perfect opportunity!

CW Botanicals produces a whole plant hemp extract naturally high in CBD in MCT oil. The chocolate mint flavor tastes great, and it was even perfect on its own. I loved that I could just take a couple of droppers full (2-3 is the recommended amount). Or, if you like, it works great as a mix in with some milk and protein (mint chocolate shake anyone?).

According to CW Botanicals, possible health of the oil include: can speed recovery time after working out, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety neurologically protective, can alleviate some pain conditions, helps restore balance in body, promotes general wellness. So far, it’s definitely seemed to help with post-exercise soreness, especially when I’ve been working my legs so hard.

Here’s the ingredients:

You can follow @cwbotanicals  and on Facebook to learn more about all things hemp & hemp oil.

 

Disclaimer: CW Botanicals is the only hemp oil derived exclusively from Charlotte’s Web™. CW Botanicals is the exclusive provider of premium Charlotte’s Web™ products made from our proprietary hemp genetics, grown internationally as well as in Colorado. Our products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Promo code “CW2015” is good for 30% off Charlotte’s WebTM Hemp Extract Mint Chocolate MCT Oil 500mg. Limit 2 per order, promo coupon code discount offer expires on August 31, 2015. To order, visit: http://cwbotanicals.com/cw-extract-in-mct-oil-coming-soon.html

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of CW Botanicals. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
July 5, 2015

The Dancewear Project’s Awesome Striped Ombre Legwarmers

Ever since I ended up with stress fractures in both of my legs (and given that I have pretty bad ankles, too) — I’ve been addicted to wearing legwarmers when in the studio. Even if it’s a humid 95 degrees out in Philadelphia. I’m always on the hunt for pretty legwarmers (it’s so easy to get sick of your standard black) and jumped at the chance to try the The Dancewear Project’s Striped Ombre Legwarmers:

i-qGJXKhx-L_grandeA photo from The Dancewear Project’s website

I first came across The Dancewear Project because they launched a leotard line with Ballet Zaida (which if you’re not following on Instagram you should be). So I reached out to Melissa at The Dancewear Project and she kindly offered to let me try a pair for free! And I fell in love with them.

Since I have fairly big thighs, sometimes finding legwarmers that can go up to them and not restrict them can be tough — that’s why I was so happy to pull out Dancewear Project’s legwarmers and find out that they were super stretchy and super cute (I seriously love all things striped — and that’s the only downside to these legwarmers to me — is making sure I’m not clashing with a striped top when I pack my dance bag!)

The legwarmers are warm, but breathable, and look cute, too. I love them for my classes that I take in slippers — they can be pulled down over your ankles to keep them warm at barre but then quickly pushed up for across the floor work. I think I’ve only worn them once for pointe class, but I liked them for that class as well since they could be both pulled down over my ankles and rolled up quickly. They wash nicely, too, and will definitely remain something I keep wearing year-round, and I’ll probably pick up a second pair, too (the pink ones are adorable, too). Here’s some of my photos from after class (I’ll add some more once I get the chance to take pointe shoe photos, too):

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I can’t wait to try out the rest of The Dancewear Project’s line, too! If you’d like to, you can use the code adultballerina at checkout for 20 percent off!

Filed Under: Ballet, Clothing and Gear, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment
March 25, 2015

MealEnders Review: Ending Late Night Snacking

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Disclosure: I received four packs of MealEnders in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I have a huge problem with over-snacking, especially as I get home late at night from ballet class. While I usually try to enjoy healthy food after class — that’s not always what ends up happening — and sometimes I ended up snacking on sweets. For instance, Trader Joes just released some pretty awesome cookie butter cookies, which while awesome, are pretty easy to binge eat.

The thing that’s nice about the MealEnders, is they just offer a touch of sweet designed to get you over that sweet-tooth craving (in a sweet outer coating) along with an inner hard candy that offers a tingling sensation to curb cravings. Here’s some more information about how they work from MealEnders:

MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet, outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling inner core. The outer layer provides a measured dose of “dessert,” usually associated with the end of a meal. The inner core engages the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that senses “taste” sensations in the mouth) with long-lasting cooling/tingling sensations to cue the end of eating and clear the palate. By keeping your mouth and mind occupied for up to 20 minutes (the Overeating Zone—when you are full, but often continue to eat because your brain has not yet received the “fullness” signal), MealEnders naturally transition you away from the desire to overindulge, giving your body’s natural satiety process time to catch up and let you know your full.

My favorite flavors were definitely the chocolate mint and the mocha — the chocolately-ness of both were just what I needed to curb that need for an after class sweet. The citrus and cinnamon flavors seemed awkwardly creamy to me in their outer coatings — but if creamy tastes are your thing, you might like them better than I do.

MealEnders has offered to do a giveaway for my readers, so to enter, just fill out this form!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you end up not a winner or don’t want to take your chance,  all “runners up” for the giveaway will be able to purchase MealEnders at 30 percent off.  Just enter coupon code WINNER-TOO at checkout. To place your order and learn more about the product, visit www.mealenders.com.

Disclosure: I received four packs of MealEnders in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Reviews Tagged With: , 2 Comments
May 21, 2014

Interview with Clip ‘n Bands Founder

This week I’m featuring a Q & A with Clip ‘n Bands founder Christina Gavrilas-Pearson.  She’s currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to create the headbands, which come with little clips on them to help them from sliding–which is a huge problem I have–I often use bobby pins to keep my headband in place!

What background do you have in fitness?

I started playing competitive tennis when I was 9 years old.  Coming from a family of athletes, both parents where in the Olympics for Romania in 1972, I naturally have a competitive edge about me.  I traveled to tennis tournaments as a child and continued on to receive an athletic scholarship to college.  I now play tennis leisurely with family.  I also have taken up running and golf.  I like to stay active and healthy through sports.

Where did the idea for Clip’n Band come from? 

The idea originated one evening before going to sleep.  The next day we were to leave for vacation in Turks and Caicos where my mother lived at the time.  Every time my husband and I would visit we would play a few doubles tennis matches against my mom and stepdad.  Well as you know it can get pretty windy on the island and I always had trouble keeping my hair out of my eyes, even when I played tennis growing up.  I would use tons of clips but they never really held my fly-aways.  And forget about headbands they would always slip off of my head just as soon as putting them on.  So when I was lying in bed the night before the trip I thought of these clips that I had and thought to myself why couldn’t I sew these clips to the inside of a headband to make it stay on my head.  So I got out of bed, threaded a needle and that’s how Clip’n Band was discovered.

How does Clip’n Band work, and how are they different from a normal headband? 

Well Clip’n Band has three unique clips on the underside of the headband to grip the hair and hold it in place.  The clips have a unique function of opening, to receive the hair, and closing to comfortably grip the hair.

Why would dancers find these headbands useful?

It is my observation that dancers use many techniques to keep hair out of the face, especially their eyes.  With Clip’n Band the dancers can accomplish that and much more.  They can add character to their wardrobe or costume and never have to worry about it slipping off their head.

Who else are the headbands appropriate for?

The headbands are suitable for anyone!  Men, women, children, anyone who wants to wear a headband but couldn’t because they could get them to stay on their head.

Why did you decide to run a Kickstarter campaign?

Kickstarter is a unique way to generate revenue when launching a product.  It is also a great way also to generate interest in your product by giving donors a sample product with a specified donation.

What rewards will donors receive? 

Donors will receive a Clip’n Band headband with a $15 donation.

Are there other ways people can support Clip’n Band even if they can’t donate?

For sure!  If you know anyone who has trouble wearing headbands tell them about us, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Google+ and Instagram.  We also have a website, www.clipnband.com for more information.

Check out her Kickstarter here, and find them on Twitter and Facebook, too.

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