Rock Your Workout With a Fun Playlist and a Yummy Drink

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated  by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #V8LlenodeSabor #CollectiveBias

Hi! Raise your hand if you are still into a "new year, new me" mindset? (HANDS RAISED HIGH OVER HERE!!!)  I've started eating better, especially since I now take my time while shopping at Walmart and have a list of essentials, like V8 V-Fusion® juices and quinoa, that I try not to stray from. I've also started exercising. I used to exercise regularly but then I got lazy and quit. Well, not anymore. I am determined to lose a little weight (not too much, us Latinas love our curves!) and get a little healthier! To me, the most important aspect of my workout is my playlist. I need to have a playlist full of fun, upbeat, Latin songs that get me going. Honestly, my playlist rocks!

This playlist is full of oldies and some new fun songs and lots and lots of Pitbull. Hey, I am from the 305!!!

ON THE FLOOR ( Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull)
ECHA PA'LLA (MANOS PA'RRIBA) ( Pitbull Feat. Papayo)
DANZA KUDURO (Don Omar)
LOVUMBA Daddy Yankee)
FIREBALL (Pitbull Feat. John Ryan)
ADRENALINA ( Wisin Feat. Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin)
LA VIDA ES UN CARNAVAL ( Celia Cruz)
SUAVEMENTE (Elvis Crespo)
RABIOSA (Shakira Feat. Pitbull)
LARGADINHO (Claudia Leitte)

OJOS ASI (Shakira)

FRUTA FRESCA (Carlos Vives)

Are you already dancing in your seat? These songs are muy caliente y divertidas! Perfect to sweat off those pesky pounds!! 

The rest of the day, I am focused on what I eat. I still have my arroz con frijoles (rice and beans) but I have switched to brown rice or quinoa. I have also cut out soda. I now drink more water and juice. I don't like all juices though so when it came time to choose one, I went for V8. I've always like V8 and the last time I was at Walmart, I realized that there are so many new flavors: Strawberry Banana, Peach  Mango, Acai Mixed Berry and Pomegranate Blueberry.

V8 V-Fusion® juices taste amazing and are chock full of fruits and vegetables. Actually one serving of juice is equal to 1 serving of vegetables and 1 full serving of fruit. I even took a picture of theback so you can see how much amazingness there is in one bottle:

I've also cut down on coffee and for a little extra energy, have started drinking the V8 V-Fusion® Energy in Peach Mango. It's like a tropical paradise in a can!

All V8 V-Fusion products are available at Walmart. I found mine in the juice aisle!

Be sure to check out the full line of V8 V-Fusion® line of products available at Walmart! 

Tell me: What are the must-haves songs on your workout playlist? Are any of my favorites on there?

Orange Cranberry Spinach Salad

Disclosure: Thisshop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterWithCraisins #CollectiveBias

One of my goals for 2016 is to have more meatless meals. JC and I are both on the same meatless kick so I have been coming up with unique twists to our favorite meals. We both love spinach salads so on Sunday, I decided to try a new version of the classic spinach salad. I love oranges and cranberries together so I decided to make Orange Cranberry Spinach Salad for dinner!

Tell me that doesn't look awesome and oh man, it tasted better than I could have ever imagined. It also made for a super quick meatless dinner. 

Orange Cranberry Spinach Salad

Serves 2

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups spinach leaves

1 cup baby kale 

8 grape tomatoes, sliced

1/4 red onion, sliced

1/2 cup mandarin oranges

1/2 cup Craisins® Fruit Clusters Cranberry Almond

Feta cheese

olive oil for drizzling

Wash and dry your greens and place in a large salad bowl. 

Add red onions and sliced tomatoes and toss.

Add mandarin oranges. If you use canned mandarin oranges like I did, make sure to drain them well first. 

Add 1/2 cup of Craisins® Fruit Clusters and sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve.

Let's get a close up look at all this goodness. So many pretty colors.

This salad was bursting with flavor. It was sweet with a kick, in part to the red onion and kale. It was also very filling. 

Craisins® Fruit Clusters are the newest variety of dried cranberries available from Ocean spray. I am a huge fan of the original Craisins® Dried Cranberries. I add them to sandwiches, salads or even buy the multipacks to carry in my purse as a snack. 

Craisins® products are avaialble in the dried fruit section at your local Walmart. 

Tell me: Do you like dried cranberries? What's your favorite food to pair them with?

Busy Mom? 5 easy ways to support your immune system on the go!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its Advertiser. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone and should not be construed as medical advice. #24HourEsterC #CollectiveBias

Are you a busy mom? Are you always on the go? Of course you are! Moms do it all! I like to be at my best all the time. I follow these easy tips, as easy as taking a supplement, to make sure I am always at my best!

I'm not a doctor or any medical professional at all, but I have learned these tips along the way. Between three kids, a full-time job, extra-curricular activities and a marriage, I am a very busy lady. I have to be proactive about my health. These tips have helped me and hopefully, can help you too!

1. Take a supplement. Taking a supplement, like Ester-C, provides up to 24-hour immune support. It lasts longer than regular Vitamin C, supports heart health and helps maintain healthy skin and gums. I take two 500mg capsules every morning with my breakfast and I'm ready for the day!

2. Sleep. Yes I know sleep is a luxury for moms but I make a conscious effort to be in bed and lights out by 11pm the latest. I don't freak out about not picking up the toys, doing laundry or any other chores that might keep me up past 11pm. If I didn't do it by then, it can wait until the next day. 

3. Get outside. Nothing is more amazing than a breath of fresh air. It invigorates you. I spend all day in front of a computer. I'm thrilled for that 5pm cut-off time when I can get outside and walk to my car. Spring will be here soon so get outside. Put the younger kids in a stroller or wagon, have the bigger ones on a scooter and walk around the block. Stand outside on your driveway for 10 minutes. Anything, just get outside. You will feel so refreshed. 

4. Eat more fruits and veggies. Every Sunday morning, I go to the market and do my weekly groceries. I make sure to stock up on fruits and veggies (strawberries, clementines, apples, carrots, cucumber, pears, grapes). When I get home, I put small portions of them into ziploc bags and toss them in the fridge. In the mornings, I line up the lunchbags, toss fruits and veggie baggies in all the bags, including my purse, and those are everyone's snacks during the day. I also make smoothies for the kids and add veggies to our dinner but the baggies are the easiest way to make sure we all snack on something good for us!

5. Don't be afraid to be silly! Laugh, laugh ALOT! Laughter decreases stress and makes you feel good. I am not a serious person at all. I love to make my kids laugh and vice-versa. One of my favorites is to sing loudly in the car. They all get a kick out of it. Soon enough, everyone is giggling. 

Ester-C is available at Walmart in the supplement aisle. Oh and right now, it's on Rollback! 

For more information on Ester-C, check them out on Facebook and/or Twitter. 

Moms, tell me, what are your tips for supporting your immune system?

Make Good-For-You Choices This Holiday Season! #LoveV8Protein

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Colelctive Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveV8Protein #CollectiveBias

2015 is right around the corner but this year I am not waiting until the new year to start making good choices regarding my health. I'm starting now during the holiday season. Yes, I know I sound insane, how could I go through the holiday season and think about good-for-you choices in regards to food? Well my friends, it all starts with baby steps. Yes, I will indulge in some cookies but I have also replaced my snacking on junk food frenzy with the the new V8 protein bars. 

I found these bars while I was holiday shopping at Walmart last week. It was one of those rare instances when I went to the store by myself and had time to walk up and down all the aisles. I found these bars in the Diet & Nutrition Bars aisle. 

When I first met JC about 4 years ago, I was thin and in shape. I was working out a couple times a week and even had muscle definition in my arms and legs. Then I got incredibly busy with a new job, new family and starting a blog. I also got lazy. I would make up every excuse in the world to not work out or even take a few extra minutes to meal prep my lunches. I also turned into a snacker. I was constantly eating something and I have gained weight, about 25-30 pounds that just need to go.

I have decided that the time has come. I need to wake up earlier and start walking. I need to get in at least three workouts a week and some yoga. I use to love doing yoga and now my mat sits collecting dust under my bed. These two love to work out together and soon it will be a trio. I want to lose weight but I want to do it the right way, by eating right and exercising. No crazy diets for me!

Also, its time to meal prep. We take our lunches to work so I started with that. I make sure I have my protein and good carbs, such as chicken breast and steamed veggies. I also pack my V8 bars for my afternoon snack. These bars are so delish. I mean, look at it! 

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are packed full of roasted peanuts and soy protein with rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter to give you satisfyingly delicious energy! Each bar provides 10g of protein, the 1/4 cup equivilant of vegetables and as much fiber as 2 cups of kale!! V8 also comes in protein shakes with protein from milk, soy, peas, brown rice and quinoa. There are 6 flavor options across the bars and shakes so you can find one that will be perfect for you!!

For more information, be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Have you tried these new Campbell's V8 Proteein shakes and bars yet? Have you gotten an early start on any resolutions yet?

Take Charge of Your Health: Essential Screenings for Women!

As a daughter, sister, aunt, partner and mom, I am all too familiar with the caretaker role. I take care of everyone around me on a daily basis. I make sure that people are fed, taking vitamins, house is clean and everyone gets up and active. I make sure there are yearly wellness checks and twice yearly dental visits for all, but what about me? I barely remember to take a vitamin and exercise? I haven't done that in months! I am too busy taking care of everyone else. Since it's October, there is a big focus on women's health everywhere you look. I have taken notice and decided that I need to make a change. If I want to continue being there for others, I need to take care of myself first! But where to start? A trip to the doctor's office!

ESSENTIAL SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN

1. YEARLY WELLNESS EXAM: Make an annual appointment and visit your doctor. Make it a priority. Most diseases that affect women usually don't have any noticeable symptoms so get to your doctor, at least once a year, and just talk. Let them know what it going on in your life. Your provider can treat any new or ongoing health problems and prevent future ones from developing. 

2. BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS: Even if you self-check, there comes a time in a woman's life where you need to get screened. If you have a yearly wellness visit, the doctor will examine you but one day, the mammogram will come. Women ages 50 to 74 should have biennial breast cancer screenings. Younger than 50? Talk to your doctor about when or if you need to get screened.

3. CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS: The Pap test is a simple test that checks for changes in the cervix. If detected early, chances of curing cervical cancer are very high. I had a friend find out in her early 20's that she had cervical cancer. The doctors caught it early, it was cured and she recently had her first baby! Cervical cancer screenings and pelvic exams are encouraged for women 21 to 65 years old, every three years. 

4. DENTAL EXAM: Schedule a dental appointment every 6 months. This is so important for a healthy smile and mouth. These checkups will help keep your teeth and gums healthy! 

There are many more screenings (Bone Density, Colorectal exams, etc.), but at my age, these are the most essential to me! Now it's time to call my doctor and take charge of my health!!

DISCLOSURE: The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.