"HAPPIER" (the book), Tal Ben Shahar- READ IT!

If you read 1 book in 2013, you definitely want to read "Happier" by Tal Ben Shahar, Ph.D.! It will open your eyes and rejuvenate your soul for a healthy new year.

Let's make this short and sweet. Why should you read it? I'll tell you why:

• It is relatively short, with small chapters, and it's an "easy" read.
• It has tons of real-life examples that you can relate to as you read it, making it easy to understand and easy to retain the information you learn. I walk around quoting it all the time...which I can't really say for novels or other non-fiction pieces that I've read.
• Most likely, you're unhappy about something- as most people are- and this will help you re-calibrate your priorities and sense of what is really important in the world around you. Fresh starts in 2013!
• Tal Ben-Shahar is the professor of one of the most popular Harvard psychology classes about positive psychology...reading his book is pretty much a glimpse into that class.

Let me know if you read it, I'd love to talk about it with you! 

Happy reading,

-ADR

Old Navy Compression Leggings: TRY THEM!

In search of the perfect athletic pant/legging duo? Try Old Navy's Compression Leggings for only $26.50 sold in stores and online, in three great colors (black, grey, denim'ish blue). I tried them yesterday and immediately had to buy two of them on the spot. They were awesome for working out yesterday evening, and today I am wearing a pair as regular leggings under a dress with boots. They aren't TOO shiny (like the American Apparel kind) but have just enough shine/opaque mix that they don't LOOK like workout pants if you're wearing them for regular daily use. 

They hold everything in at the waist, are flattering (think Lululemon), have a little pocket in the back for your keys or license if you're a runner, and are really true to size. I am a Medium, fit for a size 8-10 on the bottom. Also, just an aside while we're talking about butts... I am not the THINNEST in the butt department, and these were NOT difficult to pull on. Major points for your workout clothes, Old Navy!

Don't be hesitant to purchase work out clothes at Old Navy if you're thinking that the quality may be on the lower end, being that O.N. is known to be Gap's "lower-end" store. I think their active wear is made better than most Old Navy clothing, actually. I own workout clothing from Lululemon, Target, Old Navy, GapFit, Zumba.com, TJMaxx, Nordstrom Rack...the list goes on. I don't judge what company makes the clothing. If it fits well, the price is right, and you feel good while you wear it...buy it! And then buy another so you have a spare set!

Happy online shopping,

-ADR

LUNA FIBER BAR: TRY IT!

In response to the LARA BAR debacle last week, I have found a wonderful solution! This LUNA FIBER bar DOES NOT CLAIM to be a brownie (this is a "soft-baked fruit-filled bar"), yet it pretty much looks & tastes like one! (EPIC FAIL for LARA Bar, who claims to be a brownie and tastes like poop instead). 

Try this delicious new and pretty packaged treat- it comes in 3 delectable flavors, and is only 110 calories. It's 70% organic (at least their honest about it, right?), kosher, has 7 grams of fiber, and has the CORE 4 combo: calcium, iron, folic acid and vitamin D.

BEWARE: the only downside I can come up with (after my food-conscious boss and I analyzed the ingredients, of which there are many...) there are a ton of "syrups" in this food. What does that mean? SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR. 11 grams, to be exact. That means nothing for someone like myself who doesn't really watch my sugar intake...I know, that isn't something I am proud of. But it's still healthier than the average bag of chips. 

Yum yum yum.

-ADR

Lesser Evil Chia Crips: TRY IT!

I really wanted to save some for my roommates to try, and while my lips are on fire from the jalepeno and I feel sort of guilty, I ate the whole bag in two days. Maybe not my healthiest snacking habit, but you can't knock someone for snacking when they're home with the flu! You definitely want to try Less Evil Brand's "Chia Crisps". They're filled with fun stats such as:

• gluten free
• good source of fiber
• kosher
• vegan
• GMO, MSG, Cholesterol, and artificial flavors FREE
• their website has a great search app that helps you find where they're sold near you. additionally, the wegman's site will even tell you what they cost this week (2/$5 where I'm from).

 

Anyway, you get something like 22 crisps for only 110 calories! That's not bad at all. And if you accidentally eat the entire bag..well..that's still less than 500 calories, but who's counting?

 

And by the way, in case you're wondering what "Chia" is...it's a seed that is rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, calcium, and protein (which helps curb hunger). Check out more details here. 

 

-ADR

 

COCO Lite Pop Cakes: TRY THIS

You'll definitely want to grab a few bags (or a dozen bags) of COCO Lite Multigrain Pop Cakes next time you go to the store! A small discovery that I made when shopping at Wegman's, and a great health-conscious snack decision for those of you who like to keep it low-cal, low-cost, and full of chewing/bites (the more chewing, the more your brain thinks you're "full").

These delicious snacks are similar to rice cakes. I say TRY THEM because they are...

• Sugar Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Preservative Free
• All Natural
• Made Fresh
• Low Calorie (16 calories per piece) = ZERO POINTS on Weight Watchers
• Vegan
• Low carbon footprint to Philly (Made in NJ or in your local supermarket daily)
• Sold for less than $3 a bag, in multiple flavors.
• Available at Wegman's, Whole Foods, Shoprite, and more! (Check website under "About Us"

I am a fan of the Blueberry Cinnamon kind (featured above). With less than 250 calories in an entire BAG (15 cakes), I like to snack on them throughout the work day. I also suggest them for when you're on the go, with breakfast, as a late-night snack, and so on. Guilt-free snacking for all!

You can purchase them online from the website ($20 for 6 bags, $36 for 12 bags). Flavors include Blueberry Cinnamon, Maui Onion, Whole Wheat, & Original. Want to try them all? Order a multi-box that comes with a few of each flavor! 

Happy snacking,

-ADR

Morning Star Grillers Recipe Crumbles: TRY IT

I recently used Morning Star Crumbles as a meat substitute. I am usually skeptical of food substitutes and anything with chemicals in the ingredients that I am not 100% sure of...but this yummy treat has proven its worth. 

I am neither a vegetarian nor a vegan, but I am kosher, which poses a few pieces of information you should understand before reading on:

• I don't mix meat and milk (no chicken parm, no cheese steak, no meat on my nachos, no cheeseburgers)
• Kosher meat is more expensive so I don't eat it often 
• I live with non-kosher roommates so it's easier to stay vegetarian most of the time and not worry about the fuss of keeping everything separate

With that said, a colleague of mine recommended using Morning Star Crumbles because I recently mentioned I was making my amazing friend Ali's "Mexican Lasagna", which she grabbed off Pinterest last year for the Superbowl, which I then commissioned her to make for my birthday. 

Ali Making Mexican Lasagna for my 26th Birthday last year

 

My Mexican Lasagna w/ Morning Star "Meat" more recently

    

Lasagna finished and cooked (with Allison's smile fries on the side).

____________________________________________________________

WELL- let's just say that Morning Star Crumbles (along with the chick 'n nuggets) has changed my life. Here's why you have GOT TO TRY IT:

• VERY flavorful
• NOT too expensive
• Kosher Certification
• HIGH in protein (NUTRITION FACTS HERE)
• Can be used with dairy since it's not REAL MEAT!
• Low in calories per serving (something like 80 per half cup)
• 75% less fat than real meat crumbles
• Available in almost all supermarkets (I've bought/seen it at Target, Wegmans, Shoprite Acme and Superfresh...but not whole foods...booo!). 
• Get it fast...I'm finding that it is the only morning star product that quickly sells out!

-ADR

Lara Bar Chocolate Chip Brownie: DON'T TRY

On a health kick looking for better mid-day snacks, the LARA Bar grabbed my attention. The word "Brownie" only helped, in addition to it feeling "moist" and soft through the packaging. Fair Trade chocolate, kosher, high in fiber, and my 200 calorie "snack maximum"-- what could be better? Granted, it DOES say that it's a fruit and nut bar- but anything with "Chocolate" and "Brownie" in the title NEEDS to be delicious.

I spit out the first bite. And so did my roommate:

Thank you to ALLISON for playing the "test-taste this nasty food" game.

-ADR

Lemonaise: TRY IT

I recently purchased The Ojai Cook's Lemonaise at Whole Foods. It wasn't much more expensive than regular mayo, and I liked that it supports a local craft of Ojai, California, where I lived one summer. Additional tidbits that should encourage you to try this product:

• Organic
• Kosher (Orthodox Union & Kof K)
• Natural
• Flavored
• Fat Free
• Cholestoral Free
• Reduced Calorie
• Cage-Free Eggs used

-ADR

Welcome to "Try This Daily"

"Try This Daily" welcomes you to a world of new foods, ideas, products and more! Constantly on the lookout for new things and motivated to spread the word (for better or worse) with anyone who wants to listen, "Try This Daily" is a blog for the curious, and is looking for extra writers who like to try new things!

Happy findings,

Amanda