Best Body Fitness

Now that summer quickly approaches, I have noticed the motivations behind eating nutritiously and working out moving more towards the vanity side of things. I will own up to the fact that, yes, I like to feel confident in how I look in a bathing suit or in a pair of shorts and a tank top. It can be a viable source of motivation.

However, I also know the importance and lasting motivation that comes with truly taking care of my body. The value in respecting my body and treating it well so it can live well.

My interest in lifting weights helps to improve my muscular strength so I can perform basic, everyday tasks with more ease.

My desire to eat a well balanced diet gives me everything from more energy for my kids and better sleep to clearer skin and less anxiety.

My passion for running helps to keep my lungs healthy and my heart strong.

As a young woman, it’s easy to overlook the importance of such factors in my fitness goals and concerns. Yet, I know it’s something I can’t ignore. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. It is the thing I have to check in family history concerns on any heath care form I fill out. It’s easy for me to ignore or think I don’t need to worry about heart health, but I know I should.

That’s why it felt good to receive  the update that one of my favorite snacks recently became American Heart Association Certified and meets the criteria of a heart-healthy food.

I don’t have a perfect diet. However, I really do seek a balance and include as many foods as possible to benefit my health. I could never give up things like pizza or ice cream (or tacos/chips/salsa/margaritas ahem), but it pleases me to know that my everyday food choices provide quality nutrition to my body.

My standard bowls of oatmeal, sides of fruit or vegetables, plates filled with beans or quinoa or sweet potatoes or other whole grains, lunches often featuring eggs, and snacks of Greek yogurt help me trust I’m caring for my body. Just as my love for Blue Diamond and their products does, as well.

Not a day goes by that I don’t consume some of their Almond Breeze drink in some form (I use it for my oatmeal and in my coffee or top cereal or to make smoothies…everywhere). And when it comes to snacking on nuts, Peter and I are both big fans of Blue Diamond. Their Bold variety of flavors always taste so good! Jalapeno (my personal fave), Honey Dijon, Wasabi…mmm!

currently in my pantry

And there are quite a few flavors(sea salt, lightly salted, butter toffee and dark chocolate!) that I adore for a sweet finish to lunch or to add a crunch to things like yogurt bowls or cereal.

picture from last summer – loving Blue Diamond then!

picture from a few months ago – still loving the Blue Diamond almonds

Now, Blue Diamond Growers is proud to announce that a variety of Blue Diamond Almonds have been certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a heart-healthy food. The following flavors are a delicious snack and feature the AHA Heart-Check mark:

• Whole Natural
• Roasted Salted
• Low Sodium
• Sea Salt
• No Salt
• Honey Dijon

Heart disease claims so many lives, yet can be prevented in many cases with measures like a healthier diet. One of the things I hope to do through this blog is to show that a healthy lifestyle isn’t about deprivation and sacrifice. I want people to recognize that following a balanced diet and fitness routine is not only possible for anyone, but FUN and FULFILLING. Finding heart healthy snacks like this that also taste great just proves the possibility. There really are no excuses. Healthy living can be fun living. And it is!

For more on the American Heart Association and the Heart-Check mark, visit www.heartcheckmark.org. Also, make sure to visit www.BlueDiamond.com and “like” Blue Diamond Almonds on Facebook. They have been around for over 100 years and always seek to provide their customers with new flavors and a tasty way to snack smart. Check them out!

Also, feel free to join in the #BlueDiamond Twitter chat this coming Monday night (May 21) at 8 pm CST!

Your Turn – What flavor would you love? What’s your favorite way to take care of your heart?

Fitfluential LLC compensated me for this post. However, all opinions are my own.

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