Crockpot Southwest Chicken Stew

Want the easiest dinner recipe known to mankind?? Of course you do! This is my favorite go-to recipe when I want something super easy, no hassle, dinner-for-the-whole kind of meal: Crockpot Southwest Chicken Stew. 

The ingredients for this recipe couldn't combine any healthier ingredients and still pack a huge punch in the flavor department. This is no bland-tasting dish that you eat just to fill your tummy. No this a recipe you will crave and want to make time and time again. 

So here's the run down of some of the ingredients... 

Fitbit Comes at You with Force

Being a fitness junkie I love when new gadgets come out. I've been wanting to upgrade my elementary pedometer that reminds me of a pager. With so many technologically advanced step trackers, I wasn't sure which one to go with. Maybe the Jawbone, Nike Fuel Band, FitBit or Polar. After some research and talking to other fitness junkies, I set my mind on the newly released FitBit Force. So I asked for it for Christmas this year and my amazing boyfriend surprised me with it. 

As soon as I ripped open the wrapping paper, I set that sucker up, which took all of five minutes - so very easy for any level of technology user. I've been wearing it faithfully ever since December 25th. I've never really been one to wear a watch, so it took a little getting used to having something on my wrist all day, every day. 

90 Degrees by Reflex Activewear

I have lots of fitness clothing, I mean LOTS! I have my brands I love, the uncomfortable ones and the newbies. All-in-all, my style comes down to cost. While I do own Nike and other name brands, I never spend much on these. So for the Lululemon lovers out there, I just don't understand you. Especially since they have been taking a beating in the news from defective pants to the founder blaming women's bodies for the problem, not the brand. How can you spend nearly $100 for yoga pants?? For starters, I would never support a company that claims their brand is not for the "fat" women out there - although he didn't directly say fat, he implied it, that was enough for me. With so many brands on the market, you can find all kinds of great workout wear for a quarter of the cost.

I recently stumbled upon 90 Degrees by Reflex a high-performance activewear brand designed for fashion, comfort and technology. While this brand does retail for around $75 for pants, you can walk into your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls and get them for around $16.99. I love these pants so much I now have four pairs in just a matter of a couple weeks. They are my favorite length, they fall to about the middle of my shin. I am not a fan of capris that come to the upper portion or your calf because inevitably when I run they end up bunching around my knee and it's annoying. I also realized when folding clothes that I have a tank by 90 Degrees and it just so happens to be one of my favorite fitted tops.

So, the reasons I now love this brand? Hmmm... for starters:

• Affordable
• Comfortable
• Fitted & Stylish
• Slim waistband to suck in your tummy
• Variety - short to long bottoms, t-shirts, tanks, bras, etc. in lots of colors and designs
• Perfect for any athletic activity from yoga to boot camp to cycling 

What's your favorite activewear brand? 

Why Do You Exercise?

I get asked a lot why I go to the gym as often as I do, or how do I do it? It's quite simple. My health, my appearance, and my sanity. Aren't those the reason most everyone incorporates fitness into their lives? I care enough about my health to eat right and exercise. And actually my sanity falls into the health category too. I have a stressful job and the older I get, the harder it is for me to deal with stress. Going to a kickboxing class or running 4 miles really does make me feel better. 

Refocus on Your Diet After a Cheat Day

So were up late watching the post Super Bowl commentators? Before that, were you pigging out at a Super Bowl Party? I sure was... oops! If you're like most Americans then you were watching the big game, or the commercials, and eating for about 4 hours straight. And more than likely, the food you were eating wasn't healthy. Did you have a mixed greens salad last night? Probably more like a burger, a brat, maybe a hot god, with a side of mac n' cheese and potato salad... It's quite possible you even topped it of with the football shaped cookies!