[lazy] Healthy Lunch – Simple Soup

Posted in Uncategorized by Sarah Hreyo

Special Edit – Since this post has been so popular, I’m going to be creating a [lazy] lunch series — the next installment will be coming your way on Monday, April 13th!

Hello, Sweathearts!

Happy Monday! I don’t know about you, but I personally over-indulged on Easter sweets over the weekend. I crashed hard from my sugar high last night, and it was hard to get out of bed this morning. When I finally made my way to the kitchen to get ready for my workday, I realized that I hadn’t done any sort of meal prep over the weekend. Cue horror-movie music.

You see, if I don’t have a lunch prepared that I can grab and run out the door with, I’m likely to leave my house with nothing and rely on picking up lunch at the office. My local options? McDonalds, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Subway. Not ideal. While it is possible to pick out relatively healthy choices at each of those restaurants, I tend to allow myself to run wild. I end up back in my office with a meatball sub, medium fries, a chocolate caramel muffin, and a large sugary coffee. Okay, I’m exaggerating…but you get the point.

I’ve taken to keeping some backup items on hand so that on days when I haven’t prepped a full meal, I can still put together a balanced plate in a short amount of time. Here’s my favorite “lazy” lunch:

First up, a can of Amy’s Lentil Vegetable Soup. It’s delicious, filling (hello, plant-based proteins!), and has a pull-top. I throw this into my bag with a bowl for heating.

Next, I pull a Green Giant Steamers veggie box from the freezer. They have so many veggies to choose from, but this Healthy Weight version is my favorite. The veggies are balanced in a light butter sauce, but there are also plain veggies and even veggies with rice available.

Apples are my favorite fruit, so I always have at least one sitting on my kitchen table. I’ll throw one in with my lunch, but usually I’ll have it as a snack in the morning.

Finally, I’ll throw in a chocolate square to round things out. Life is all about moderation, right?

So there you have it–an easy to pack in less than a minute “lazy” lunch! It just so happens to be vegetarian friendly, as well. What are your favorite lunch choices for days when you are in a hurry? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

19Mar2015

Sweat in Style : Spring Trends I’m Loving!

Posted in Fitness Fashion by Sarah Hreyo

Bold Patterns

Capris: Walmart (similar style), Tights: Onzie

For my 9-5 job, I wear a LOT of black and white. It’s simple, it’s professional, it’s…sigh…kind of boring (or so my younger sister tells me). However, I put the more stark looks to the side when I get dressed to work out, often opting for a pair of boldly patterned pants or capris. Pattern pants have been en vogue for a while now, and there is no shortage of styles to choose from! I own everything from floral motifs to cosmic explosions. They’re my favorite to pull out when getting dressed for an early morning workout. Nothing like says “6 AM” like sparkly stretchies!

Colorful Crops

Clockwise from top L: black – lululemon, lime & navy – Aritizia, red – Lorna Jane,lime – Lorna Jane, black & white – Lorna Jane, turquoise – Alo Yoga

I literally went from the girl who owned two simple sports bras (black and white, the same style from American Eagle) to the girl who has a full drawer of crops exploding with color! Lately, I’ve been loving longer, crop-top style sports bras because I can wear them to spin class without a shirt on top. I also love to pick sports bras with bold patterns that peek through slouchy tanks.

Barre Humor

Tee by Emi Jay, barresocks (similar styles)

I can’t resist a good barre joke. Let’s face it, you need something to make you laugh as you stare into the mirror, teeth gritted, fighting for those final ten counts in thigh work! Plain tops?! Come on now, don’t tuck with me like that 🙂

Fitspirational Tanks

Lorna Jane: Teal, Navy, Coral

I love Lorna Jane and her collection of ultra-feminine workout wear. Taking the top spot in her shop for me are her inspirational tanks. In line with her Move Nourish Believe motto, they remind me to never, never, never give up while giving my workout all that I’ve got!

Splits 59 by Pure Barre

Erid Tight, Lynx Tank

As a Pure Barre instructor, I am always excited to see new clothing pop up in my studio’s store. Since the fall, I’ve been obsessed with the Splits 59 by Pure Barre collection. It’s a special collaboration that can only be found at Pure Barre studios or on PureBarre.com. My favorite piece of the collection, hands down, is the Erid tight. I own them in black, grey, and this season’s new navy.

Matchy Matchy

Nike Pants, Nike Free Sneakers (similar style)

Some people would disagree, but the Type-A in me just loves a well-coordinated look. I like to find ways to match my sneakers to my pants, my Lily and Laura bracelets to my tanks, even my socks to my headband! Feeling put together from head to toe makes me feel like I am on top of the world!

25Apr2014

Move. Nourish. Believe.

Posted in Uncategorized by Sarah Hreyo

Hello, Sweathearts! Long time, no read — and for that, I sincerely apologize. Life is so incredibly busy, and it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose sight of taking care of yourself. Thankfully, I’ve found a wonderful blog to follow that gives me an excellent mantra to live by: Move Nourish Believe by Lorna Jane.

Lorna Jane is a fantastic woman’s active wear brand that originated in Australia. Lorna Jane Clarkson is the driving force behind the brand, and has taken her business from a small, one-woman show to a thriving international company. Moving your body at least once per day, nourishing your body with healthy foods, and believing that you can do anything are the tenants of her brand.

Lorna Jane has been hosting a Spring Clean competition among her US fans, with followers creating a new Pinterest board each week for three weeks: a move board, a nourish board, and a believe board. I had SUCH a wonderful time creating each board and trying out some of the new ideas I found. I’m linking each board here–I hope you find them just as inspiring as I do!

MOVE

Outdoor yoga — so fun (even when it is cold)!

At a dog walk with my pup, Duke!

NOURISH

Healthy meal prep for a week of nourishing lunches!

Fresh juices and delicious smoothie supplies!

BELIEVE

My favorite new inspirational tank!

Reading Lorna Jane’s books and writing in my 2014 Move Nourish Believe Planner is a great creative outlet and way to make action plans for accomplishing my goals.

What is your favorite way to move? Nourish? Believe? I’d love to hear!

19Mar2014

Upgrade Your Workout for Under $20

Posted in Fitness Fashion by Sarah Hreyo

It’s amazing how making a few small changes to your workout routine can make such a big difference. For me, wireless headphones were a game changer–no longer do I get tangled up in the cords! That was a pricier change, but there are plenty of products I’ve found costing under $20 that have forever changed my workouts for good. Here are 5 of my favorites.

lululemon Light As Air Thong, $16

I know, spending $16 for a pair of underoos sounds crazy. But these thongs are ridiculously comfortable, leave no visible panty lines, and come in simple solid colors and fun prints, like this camouflage pair.

Sweaty Betty Hair Toggles, 5 for $8

I have extremely thick, hard to manage hair. In the past when working out, I’d use 2 thick hair ties to keep my hair in place, and it still ended up falling out–usually just a few minutes into my workout. These hair toggles really grip your hair and keep it firmly in place. I can now make it through an hour-long power yoga sequence without worrying about my hair flopping into my face during downward dog.

Master Lock Speed Dial Combination Lock, $7

This easy to use lock makes it simpler than ever to keep your belongings safe at the gym. It unlocks using a series of movements (up, down, left, right) rather than numbers or a key.

Sparkly Soul Headbands, $15 (thin band)/ $17 (thick band)

In addition to being untamable by hair tie, my hair (or maybe my head) tends to repel headbands. I’ve purchased countless bands to try, but only Sparkly Soul has stood up to the task of staying put. They come in tons of colors, and add a fun touch to any workout outfit. I’m in love.

Lorna Jane Secret Sock, $10

I hate when my socks fall down during a workout, but I also hate socks that stick out ridiculously far from my shoes and rub me the wrong way. These socks strike the perfect balance–they are comfortable and remain perfectly hidden. I have them in black and white, and they also come in a nude shade.

What are some of your favorite bargain fitness finds?

14Mar2014

Sweat Worthy – Link Love #3

Posted in Link Love by Sarah Hreyo

Hello, Sweathearts! It feels good to be writing here again. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for me–I won my first local title in the Miss America system, an am delighted to represent my community and take my first trip to the Miss New York pageant. When I relaunched Sweatsational, I was not expecting to win a title. My schedule is now going to be a little tighter, but I’m dedicated to making Sweatsational a success! Keep an eye out for more of the usual posts, but also a series related to preparing for the Miss New York lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit competition! I’m not trying to lose weight, but want to build lean muscle tone so that I’m at my best fitness level when I hit the stage.

I hope you enjoy the links I’ve gathered this week. A few are very near and dear to my heart!

MOVE TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – I’m an advocate for empowering teens (and adults!) with the tools they need to say no to domestic violence. I work closely with My Sisters’ Place, a local organization dedicated to providing support (in many ways) to survivors of domestic violence and educating the community. Their newest initiative, Team MSP, allows you to get your sweat on while raising funds to support these needed services.

CULTIVATE GRATITUDE – I discovered 12 Months of Lent through the lululemon blog a few months ago, and I’ve been hooked ever sense! This recent post by blog author Dani features an excellent 60 second stress-buster aimed at fostering contentment.

LOVE A GOOD WORKSHEET? – I used to love worksheets when I was still in school. I know, I’m a nerd. I was extremely happy to see these fabulous worksheets on the Move Nourish Believe blog this week. They are designed to help encourage your positive mindset and help work through any insecurity you may be struggling with. I’ve printed them and will be using this weekend!

Photo from PopSugar

SMALL CHANGE, BIG RESULTS – I’ve only ever used large fitness balls–I’ve never even seen one this small until this week! In my PopSugar Must Have Box for the month of March, I received this small pink fitness ball that I had no idea what to do with. Thankfully, they have a how-to guide online, which I’m sharing here. Have you ever tried a mini fitness ball before? How did you like it?

What links have you been loving this week? Leave a comment here, as I’d love to check out your picks!

*The link to PopSugar Must Have is a referral link, which means if you purchase a box through that link, I will be credited for referring you. You do not have to use that link to purchase 🙂

28Feb2014

Sweat Worthy – Link Love #2

Posted in Uncategorized by Sarah Hreyo

Hello, Sweathearts!

Happy Friday! Today has been one of those weeks–cold weather, late nights, and a full schedule. I also haven’t been as committed to my health and fitness this week as I like to be. It shows–I’m tired, not feeling my best, and my skin has broken out. It is time for a weekend refresh and detox!

Are you taking the weekend to relax and unwind as well? Here are a few great links to check out in your free time.

OFFICE YOGI – I’m lucky enough to have my own office at work. Generally, I keep my door open–it makes me feel more in tune with the rest of the people on my floor. But I’ll often close the door to listen to music or do some office yoga. It revitalizes me when I hit a wall working on a certain project, gives me a burst of energy to beat the afternoon blues, and just generally makes me feel better! Move Nourish Believe shared a great post on 6 poses you can do at your desk this week, and there are many more guides available on Pinterest!

NOW CIRCLE TWERK IT – Okay, I’m sorry to share skating-related links twice in a row. I know that not everyone is obsessed with figure skating as I am. But this Buzzfeed post had me cracking up.

CALL A TRUCE – I’m currently reading ‘Make Peace with Your Plate‘ by the fabulous Jessica Ainscough. During pageant season, I am able to stay dedicated to carefully crafted meal plans (shout-out to http://completephysiqueusa.com/ for those!), but I often stray from clean eating when I’m not in competition mode. This book is inspiring me to stay on track all of the time–the health benefits will certainly make it worth it!

+ POSITIVE ENERGY – I’ve been noticing Alex and Ani bracelets a lot lately! I’ve never been a bangles kinda gal, because I have really small wrists. However, when I saw that Alex and Ani makes their bracelets adjustable to fit most every wrist size, I placed an order and fell in love. I’ve already amassed a collection of 6 bracelets. My favorite: the Path of Life charm. It reminds me that life can bring about all sorts of twists and turns, but I am strong enough to keep moving forward.

What links have you been checking out lately? Let me know in the comments, as I’d love to check out your favorites. I’m always looking for new inspiration, a good laugh, and fun fashion to check out!

24Feb2014

Monday Mantra: So you had a bad day…

Posted in Monday Mantra by Sarah Hreyo

Happy Monday, Sweathearts!

As usual, I want to help you start the week off with some motivation. Have you ever had a bad day? I’m guessing the answer is yes. I’m even willing to wager that a few of you are having a bad day today—it is Monday, after all. I’ve had my fair share of bad ways. Some have been bad for silly reasons, and I’ve woken up the next day already forgetting the cause of my bad mood the day before. Others have been so bad that they’ve stuck around for awhile. Once we find ourselves stuck in a bad day rut, it can be hard to get out of it. Here are some of my favorite ways to remind myself to find the silver lining in cloud-filled situations.

Sweat it out: Okay, you had to know this one was coming. This is a fitness blog! But while I typically enjoy hitting the gym or a class to get my workout on, when I’m in a bad mood one of my favorite ways to move is an outdoor run. There is something about breathing in the fresh air and taking in my surroundings that helps to calm me down. Even in the winter, I’ll bundle up and take a quick jog around the neighborhood when I need to clear my mind.

Talk about it: When I’m frustrated, it is so easy to shut myself away from the rest of the world. I want to be angry, and I want to be angry by myself…because if I talk to someone, chances are they’re going to help me see the good in a bad situation. They’re going to encourage me to keep my chin up and move forward. And even when all I want to do is curl up into an angry ball and throw a pity party for myself, I force myself to talk through situations with my parents, my sister, my girlfriends, or my boyfriend. Their advice is always spot-on, even when I don’t feel like I’m ready to take it.

Treat yourself: I’m a bit of a shopaholic. I know that I get a little endorphin rush whenever I click the “buy” button on my favorite website. It is a weakness of mine that I have to keep in check, but I budget a certain amount of “fun money” for myself each month. When I’m feeling down, I’ll treat myself to a new book or small gift to bring a smile to my face. I’m not advocating going on huge shopping sprees whenever you’re having a bad day, but a small treat can be a great mood booster.

My idea of the perfect pick me up: workout gear with motivational messages! (Image from Lorna Jane)

Eat healthy foods: The struggle is REAL when it comes to pigging out on junk food when I’m feeling sad. But I’ve noticed that giving in doesn’t make me feel better at all after the initial food coma wears off. I typically feel sluggish or sick after eating food that I’m not used to, and end up breaking out a few days later as well. Not worth it! I try to have some go-to healthy comfort foods: freshly brewed tea, smoothies, a savory egg dish, or fruit.

Remind yourself that it’s a bad day, not a bad life: Perspective is one of the most important things that I try to remind myself of. I try to gauge things by the “facebook laugh-o-meter”: If I posted what was making me upset on facebook, would people laugh at me? If the answer is yes, it’s time to put things in perspective. It’s not the end of the world to scuff a pair of shoes. It isn’t going to kill me if I don’t win my next pageant. My life is still an incredible one, and I should transform my negative feelings into positive action: helping those around me whose bad days are far more troubling than my own.

How do you like to cheer yourself up when you’re having a bad day?

10Feb2014

Monday Mantra: Do All Things With Love

Posted in Monday Mantra by Sarah Hreyo

Good morning, Sweathearts!

I am so glad to be sharing my first ‘Monday Mantra’ post with you today. One of my favorite blogs is Lorna Jane’s Move Nourish Believe. Their Monday Motivation posts are always so inspirational to me! In my opinion, there is nothing better than starting the week off with a positive mantra. In honor of Valentine’s Day, this week I thought we’d focus on love…specifically, doing all things with love.

Treat yourself with love

Perhaps the most important lesson that anyone can learn is the importance of self-love. It is easy to get wrapped up in our busy lives. Work demands our attention, family members need our support, and concerns need to be addressed. We get so caught up in keeping up that we begin to neglect ourselves. Our plans to eat fresh and healthy foods are replaced with a rushed fast food meal. Our time usually spent practicing yoga and meditation early in the day is full of returning emails instead. We all need to take a deep breath and stop.

Seriously. Just stop. Whatever it is you’re doing. Take a few deep and cleansing breaths. Take five minutes to walk outside and take in some fresh air and the beauty of nature. A little break like this can make all the difference, and gives you the chance to disconnect and recharge.

Then, take it a step further. Look at your busy schedule. Where can you cut back? Sometimes, we aim to please others so we say “yes!” to every opportunity that is thrown our way. Take a minute to think about pleasing yourself. Did that extra commitment make you happier? Or did it further drain you. Think about saying no, and use the time you have freed up to specifically schedule an activity that is all about pampering yourself: a massage, a yoga class, a walk with your dog, or even just a Netflix session

I’m aiming to do better at this myself this week. Looking ahead at my schedule, I’ve made plans to go to bed an hour earlier at night and wake up an hour earlier in the morning. I’ll get a full 8 hours of sleep, and will use the extra time in the morning to eat a healthy breakfast, meditate, and awaken without being tied to my cell phone or laptop/

Treat others with love

Because it is Valentine’s Day on Friday, I’m sure there is a special person (or, many wonderful people) that you would like to show gratitude for this week. You don’t have to stress out—instead of aiming for a grand gesture, try some of these small but thoughtful ways of showing someone that you care:

Pick up the phone and call them. Let them know that they are on your mind.
Bring them a sweet treat. Baking is a wonderful way to unwind in the evening. If you have time, whip up a tray of your favorite snack and make extras to share.
Sweat together. Meet up with a friend at the gym. Challenge each other and laugh over your inability to understand some of the machines together (or is that just me?)

How do you plan on loving yourself and loving others this week? I’d love to hear some of your ideas.

Image from needinspiration.com

22May2013

Sweat Worthy: Charity Miles

Posted in Uncategorized by Sarah Hreyo

I’m sure that many of you, like me, were absolutely floored by the tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma and other parts of the midwest this week. The power of nature is absolutely incredible, but in this case, absolutely devastating.

As a college student preparing for graduation, I don’t have extra money in my budget at the moment to donate to charity. Between bills and paying for gas to fuel my car, there just isn’t any wiggle room. Still, I wanted to give something to the families in Oklahoma that now have to completely rebuild their lives. Charity Miles offers an easy way to do so.

I recently discovered Charity Miles, an app that allows you to track the miles you complete during an outdoor run, walk, or bicycle ride. It then donates a set amount of money per mile to the charity of your choice. They have a pretty substantial list of charities to choose from, one of which is Feeding America. Feeding America is one of the organizations that will be providing truckloads of food, water, and supplies to those in need in Oklahoma (and across the rest of our nation as well.

If you’re interested in getting your sweat on and giving back to those in need at the same time, be sure to download the Charity Miles app! I’ll be dedicating my next few weeks of miles to Feeding America. On just a short run today, I was able to donate 2.5 meals. It may not sound like much, but when facing such a large challenge like those in Oklahoma are currently experiencing, it is important to remember that every little bit counts.

For more information on Charity Miles, click HERE.

29Apr2013

Sweat in Style…For Less!

Posted in Uncategorized by Sarah Hreyo

Hello Sweathearts,

I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for cute workout gear. Lululemon, Nike, Under Armour, you name it! I’m pretty laid back when it comes to the rest of my workout look–hair in a messy ponytail, and no makeup allowed–but I love picking out workout gear that is cute and functional. By functional, I mean that I don’t have to worry about anything hanging out or showing through. Being able to deflect sweat well is an added bonus–I don’t like to half-ass my workouts, so I’m always drenched by the time I’m through.

The problem with some of my favorite brands? They’re expensive. SUPER expensive. Not-realistic-for-a-college-student-who-works-as-a-babysitter-expensive. But I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that have helped me add Lulu, Nike, and UA to my wardrobe without breaking the bank.

I didn’t pay full price for ANY of these items!

Sporting goods stores aren’t your only source of workout gear! I’ve picked up some great Nike pieces from Kohl’s and Nordstrom. Neither store offers a full range of product, but their small selection is often eligible for markdown and couponing (Kohl’s) or hits the clearance racks at a great price (Nordstrom).
But sporting goods stores DO offer great rewards programs and deals. Dick’s Sporting Goods is my go-to store based on their reward program. I get coupons regularly from them that range from $10 off a purchase to 25% off of an item. My local Dick’s also offers GREAT clearance racks at the end of each season that feature already marked-down items at an additional 50% off. I’ve gotten Nike shorts for under $10, and a Hard Tail Tank for under $20.
Outlets are the real deal (pun intended). I live about 40 minutes away from Woodbury Commons, a popular outlet center for locals and tourists alike. While I generally don’t find deals on everyday clothing there, the deals at the Nike, Under Armour, and Lululemon outlets can be incredible! Because it’s a long drive, I try to hit the outlets only once per season. I scored a Lululemon Vinyasa scarf for $29 in outlet that I had seen listed on eBay for close $80!
Give flash sales a chance. The Zumba capris pictured above? I found them listed on Zulily, a flash sale website geared more towards moms & children. My mother, a teacher, spotted the sale and alerted me to the deal. Since then, they’ve featured other fitness brands, such as Lucy. ACTIVE GearUp is a flash sale website that exclusively features fitness gear, but even the traditional websites such as HauteLook occasionally upload workout brands.
Patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a bargain hunter’s way of life. If I fall in love with a newly released item from any store, I try to wait it out. It’s really tough for me–my instinct is to buy right away so that I can make it my own. But I’ve found that being patient often results in markdowns and worthwhile extra savings. I wouldn’t recommend doing this for something you absolutely can’t live without, but if you see something, bookmark it and check in every few days. Chances are, you’ll be able to score a deal.

What are some of your favorite ways to workout in style without paying a high price? I’m always looking for more ways to save money while leading an active and fashionable life!