Cassey Ho's Blog, page 107

Your 1st Workout Calendar of 2017!

Hey guys!

I’m so excited to see that so many of you are SUPER PUMPED for 2017! You enthusiasm for our #28dayreset Challenge is energizing me SOOOOOO much! I know that if you commit to the whole 28 days of the Challenge, YOU WILL see a change in your body and your energy. Because the 28 Day Reset is so much more than a regular ole diet plan, it will clean you from the inside out and help you figure out your food intolerances! So if you have issues like bloating, acne, stubborn fat, low energy etc., then this is something you will want to try for 28 days. We begin on Jan 2, 2017 and we end on Jan 29, 2017!

The #28dayreset Challenge asks you to do the following things:

Omit dairy, gluten, added sugar, processed food, and alcohol for 28 days straight. No cheating. (Get Full Guidelines here)
Work out 6x/week. You may do PIIT28, the Beginner’s Workout Plan, or the new January 2017 Workout calendar!

It’s all FREE to join in on!

Now, for my Workout Calendar people, I have a surprise for you!!! For the first time ever, I am giving a workout calendar PDF that is 100% linkable! So that means you don’t have to wait for me to create playlists for you, you don’t have to search the vids on YouTube, you can click DIRECTLY from you desktop! Yes…hello to new beginnings in 2017!!!

Download Linkable PDF | Download hi-res JPEG

I’m just trying to make it as EASY as possible for you to find success this January :)  I really hope the links help you!

Oh and I also made a modern day Disney Princess video for you with the Royal Squad (aka my friends). We each dressed up as our fave princess, then I forced them to do burpees. I’m glad they didn’t ex-communicate me and that we’re still cool. Hahaha! If you’re looking for a fun vid to get you motivated and excited for 2017 (and if you really love Disney) then watch this!

Guys, enjoy your last bits of 2016. Thank you for being here for me this year. We battled, endured, achieved, and conquered. I am so grateful to have you right here with me to kick off 2017. Thank you for being you. I love you so so much! Let’s do this!!!

 

Take the 28 Day Reset Challenge!

Hey guys!

Are you ready to take on a challenge that will SERIOUSLY change your body once and for all while giving you more energy? If you’ve been working out super hard and you’ve had trouble SEEING your results, then we need to talk FOOD. It usually boils down to what you’re eating.

I know, I know. It’s probably what you DIDN’T want to hear! I was in denial too for a long time too – thinking I was eating clean, but apparently, it wasn’t what my body truly needed to thrive.

So, to celebrate the start of 2017, I want all of us to take on the #28DayReset Challenge! It will begin Jan 2, 2017 and end Jan 29, 2017!

What you need to know is that The 28 Day Reset is NOT A DIET. It is a way for you to clean out your body and figure out what food intolerances and sensitivities you may have. If you have acne, if you get bloated easily, if you have trouble losing weight – then you need to do this with me. The challenge is only 28 days long and will help you clean out, lean out and increase energy! Many POPsters have lost anywhere from 5-15 lbs in just 1 month of doing this! GUYS IT WORKS. IT WORKED FOR ME!!

The #28DayReset Challenge is FREE for everyone to take on! You don’t even need to buy my nutrition guide to get started. All you need is to download the FREE PDF that I wrote up for you below. It explains everything:

Click to download the PDF

To take on the #28DayReset Challenge, do this:

Omit the following 5 things from your diet for 28 days straight:

Dairy
Gluten
Added Sugar
Processed Food
Alcohol

Commit to working out 6x/week. Choose one plan:

Do the PIIT28 workouts
Do the January Blogilates Workout Calendar (coming soon)
Do the Blogilates Beginner’s Workout Calendar

Download the PDF to understand why I am asking you to do this. You will seriously feel SO AMAZING on day 28. Your skin will clear up, your body will be leaner, and you will be so much stronger!

If you feel like you need more support plus access to hundreds of recipes, then it may be a good idea to get The 28 Day Reset nutrition guide. It is a comprehensive e-book that includes detailed meal plans, grocery lists, substitutions, and access to the online portal where you can directly communicate with Erin, the amazing Blogilates Executive Chef and Nutrition Coach. You can choose from getting the regular meal plan or the plant based vegan meal plan!

Also I’m running a 30% off sale from now until Jan 2, 2017 on PIIT28.com! Just use code “PIIT2017” at checkout to get the discount on ANY PRODUCT on PIIT28.com!

OK are y’all excited!!??? Comment below and tell me if you’re in!!!! LET’S DO THIS!!!!!!

CAUTION: Before embarking on any diet or weight loss program you should consult your physician or health care professional, especially if you have recently been ill or have special dietary or medical requirements, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding, are a child, or are elderly.

You should not rely on the information in this nutrition guide as an alternative to professional medical advice from your doctor or healthcare provider.

EPIC Rainbow Pancake Cake!

Hey Guys!

I’m so excited for 2017 to begin because I’m starting to FEEL that fit-feeling buzz and people are beginning to get serious about fitness again! There’s always a natural trail-off Fall through Winter but Jan 1 is like the ultimate Monday of the entire year and I can’t wait to see everyone getting hyped up again!

I have to show you something guys. The prettiest pancake stack in the land. Are you ready? I’m not sure if you’re ready.

I’m obsessed with rainbow food, as you already know, and healthy pancakes are always on my mind. So, pairing the two seemed like a perfect match.

I took the “bigger is better” approach here…I mean you could totally make this for one or two people, but I decided to feed a crowd with it because, well, it just looks epic when it’s HUGE. You can cut my recipe in half to feed 3 people, or keep it the way it is to feed a crowd of 6 or more! Umm, it’s basically a cake.

RAINBOW PANCAKE CAKE

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1/6th recipe

Prep Time: 15 min

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups almond or coconut milk
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 ripe bananas
4 eggs
4 cups gluten-free dry oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
6 tablespoons of nut butter
Fresh fruits of choice

Topping:

Low calorie natural syrup or drippy nut butter

Method :

In a large blender, add the milk, applesauce, bananas, and eggs. Blend on low until smooth. Add in the oats and continue blending until smooth.
Add remaining ingredients and  pulse in to combine.
Heat a griddle over low-medium. Coat with cooking spray. Divide batter into 6 servings (it’ll be 1 cup each) and cook about 2 minutes per side, or until golden.
Lay down one pancake and spread lightly with nut butter (this keeps the fruit in place). Layer with grapes (or any fruit of your choosing).
Repeat the layering process, ending with fruit on top.
Cut into tall slices, and serve.

Nutrition Info (not including fruit):

Calories: 403 | Protein: 16g | Fat: 16g | Net Carbs: 45g | Fiber: 9g

Who do you want to feed this amazing pancake-cake to?!!

3 Cheap, Easy, & Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas!

Hey Guys!

It’s the last day before Holiday break at the Blogilates HQ! My familia is coming today (like the entire familia) and will be staying at the house. It’s going to be madness. But I love em, so I’m sure it’ll be fine…right!!???

Anyway, wanted to get this Cheap Clean Eats video out to you before Christmas and Hannukah! Perhaps you’ll want to prepare some of these Sunday morning for your family! So, let’s talk brekky shall we?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We know this. It breaks the overnight fast, fuels your metabolism and prevents you from losing control later in the day because your blood sugar tanks, leaving you STARVING and eating everything in sight.

But, I totally get not having time though! I’ve been known to skip a meal or two because I didn’t plan ahead. But I never feel good when I do. These three make-ahead-breakfasts leave you no choice! It’s as simple as mixing up the ingredients the night before in under 5 minutes, and spending 2 minutes in the morning finishing them up. They’re fast, inexpensive, gluten-free and healthy!

FROZEN PARFAIT CUPS

Yield: 1 serving

Serving Size: 2 cups

Prep Time: 5 min

Chill Time: 6+ hours

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons granola, crushed small
5.3 oz container vegan yogurt
1 large strawberry, chopped

Method :

Divide the granola on the bottom of two jumbo silicone muffin molds. (Or, divide the yogurt).
Scoop yogurt on top and tap several times (or top with granola and tap to secure the granola).
Sprinkle with strawberry pieces. Freeze until solid. Thaw for 3 minutes before eating.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 197 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Net Carbs: 34g | Fiber: 3.5g

PANCAKE IN A MUG

Yield: 1 serving

Serving Size: full recipe

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 2 min

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons oat, gluten-free or all-purpose flour
1 egg
3 tablespoons almond milk
1 tablespoon maple syrup, or sweetener of choice, to taste
1/2 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil, melted
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons blueberries plus more for topping

Method :

Coat a mug or small bowl with cooking spray and set aside.
In a small bowl, add the flour, egg, milk and syrup and mix until combined. Stir in the ghee, baking powder and salt, then fold in the blueberries. Add to the mug. Seal with a lid until ready to cook.
Microwave for 1:30-2 minutes, watching carefully for overflow. Cook until set. Top with more blueberries, and serve.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 355 | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Net Carbs: 38g | Fiber: 5g

OMELETTE IN A MUG

Yield: 1 serving

Serving Size: full recipe

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 2 min

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 egg white
1/3 cup mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons red onion, minced
Pinch of salt
Pinch of garlic powder
1/4 cup shredded cheese or vegan cheese, divided
1 tablespoon avocado, optional

Method :

Add the egg, egg whites, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, salt, garlic and half the cheese into a 12-ounce or larger Mason jar coated with cooking spray. Shake or stir to combine, then seal with a lid unless making immediately.
Place in fridge overnight or until ready to prepare.
Remove lid, place in microwave, and heat for about 2 minutes, watching for overflow. If the eggs puff up too much, simply open the microwave for 5 seconds, then heat again until no liquid remains. Top with remaining cheese, and serve. Top with avocado, if using.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 246 | Protein: 26g | Fat: 14g | Net Carbs: 6g | Fiber: 3g

Ok guys! Honesty time! Do you skip breakfast? If so, why? Comment below! Love you and happy holidays!

Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas for the Holidays

 

Hey Guys!

I love giving gifts! It makes me so happy! Whether it’s hand-me-downs, extravagant gifts, or simple homemade things that come from the heart…I love them ALL!  If you’re like me and you want to give every single person you know a gift, then doing it the Cheap Clean Eats way is a must! Not only will your gifts be healthy, but they’ll be cost-effective as well.

I’m telling you guys, it truly isn’t the gift that matters, it’s the gesture. The four gift ideas below are useful, delicious, fun to make and I guarantee, fun to receive. Be sure to write a nice little card with each gift you give, because your words are precious and no one else will say things exactly like you. It’s what makes things come from the heart. And things that come from the heart make the world a little bit brighter.

Idea#1: Apple Wreath

You can’t get any healthier than this (or cuter, I think!). Simply take 8-10 organic apples and a long ream of cello wrap and tie off each apple with a bow or knot to hold them in place.  You might need a little tape to hold the cello in place. Fashion into a wreath shape, add a big bow and a card, and you’re done!

Idea #2: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.

Not only are you gifting a yummy breakfast with a reusable Mason jar, but you’re giving the gift of TIME!  You’ll be saving your loved one several minutes of prep time in the morning, and probably countless calories too since this breakfast is healthy! Scoop 1/3 cup oats into a Mason jar and add a pinch of stevia and cinnamon. Top with 1/2 cup freeze dried apples and 1 tablespoon walnuts, if desired. Write out a card that says: “Pour almond milk 2-inches over the oats. Place in fridge overnight. Stir well. Top with some chopped apples, add more milk, if needed and serve.”

When you gift it, try wrapping the whole thing (apple included) in cellophane with a bow.

Idea #3: Strawberry Coconut Shake in a Jar.

Once again, you’re making a healthy recipe that saves someone tons of time. You can also easily make this one for two people by doubling the ingredients. Scoop 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder into a small jar. Cover the powder with 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, 2 tablespoons coconut and 2 tablespoons cashew pieces. Add a card that says, “Serves Two! Add contents to a blender with 2 cups of ice and 2.5 cups of coconut milk from a carton. Blend until smooth, and serve.”

Idea #4: Homemade Vanilla Extract.

You need to plan this gift out about 8 weeks in advance because the extract needs that long to sit and soak up the vanilla-goodness. All it takes is an inexpensive bottle of vodka or rum and vanilla beans! Like, literally guys, that’s it! The quality is fantastic and you’ll find that the price is so much better than what you pay for good vanilla from the grocery store. You’ll also need some cute little bottles, but those are inexpensive too. You can get them off Amazon or a craft store.

Start by cutting the ends off of 8-10 vanilla beans. Throw them into a large Mason jar. Cut the beans into 2″ pieces and add the the jar. Add 16-ounces of vodka or rum to the jar, seal and shake. Place in your pantry. Over the next 8 weeks (or up to a year, if you like), shake the jar once per week.  That’s it! When you want to gift it, just strain and use a funnel to pour into your tiny jars. You can make bigger or smaller batches using this rule of thumb: 4-5 vanilla beans per 8-ounces of liquor. No need to spend a lot on the liquor. (I say buy a liter that’s under $10.)

I want to know what your favorite Cheap Clean Eats gift ideas are! What do you give to neighbors, teachers, gym buddies and friends? Comment below so we can all share ideas!

Our Ugly Sweater Party!

 

Hey guys!

Last night we hosted an Ugly Sweater Party at the Blogilates HQ! The Blogifam decorated the place for 2 days – looking at Pinterest DIY projects and trying our best to emulate.

I REALLY wanted to impress my friends and show them a good time. Plus, I LOVE the holidays.

Last minute like 10 people said they were sick or too busy to come. I was a little affected and kinda sad, wondering if ANYONE would come at all :(

But when 7:30pm hit, people started showing up in very festive attire and my heart started to float again. I had THE BEST TIME. SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE that I am lucky enough to call my friends were there to laugh, take a million selfies, and eat good food and dessert of course (hello, boba station)! I wish you guys could’ve been there – so here’s a sneak peek into our Ugly Sweater Party!

Here’s a look at the spread from Mendocino Farms. The food was amazing! Lots of delicious skewers, mini sliders, and quinoa salads. And the service from their team was top notch. You can’t imagine how much trouble I had tracking down restaurants I loved and trying to get them to cater. It’s weird – it’s like “take my money please” and many didn’t even write an email back or return a call!

This was dessert station numero uno. We got cookies from Milk Jar Cookies (omg so good) in white chocolate macadamia, oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, and snickerdoodle. Their cookies are thick, goey, and purposefully sized. We also had farm fresh milk along with almond milk for those who were lactose intolerant. And those 2 cakes are from Susiecakes – basically sugar butter heaven! Carrot cake and Red Velvet cake…YUM!

I TOTALLY FORGOT to take a pic of the boba station. I AM SO SO SAD!!!! But I did take a pic of this sign I made so that you can imagine how epic it was. The boba station was a hit!!! People loved it! I’m glad I decided to get that instead of a bar. (We did get beers from World Market though which were cute.) Truth is, I don’t drink and I don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Sweet, innocent drinks like boba are more my thang.

My friend Nikki grabbed these pics before people started coming. I was busy running around as hostess lady so I forgot to take pics of the decor. I am so grateful for these photos. This was Instagram station #1. Leslie and I spent hours cutting the tinsel into this chevron design. Super laborious but super worth it. Do you like it?

This was Instagram Station #2. This one felt super prom. I got the idea to stick tinsel under these HUGE balloons from Pinterest backdrop idea boards. I was really upset that the balloons didn’t come round like a sphere but rather like an egg. Oh mean, oh well, and probably no one cares…but if you’re gonna advertise photo of your product then send me something completely different, that is false advertising!

Sewed the same tinsel that’s on the wall onto my dress the night before while watching Once Upon a Time. You likey? It’s singer/song writer Jason Chen, comedian David So, and fashion/beauty guru Arika Sato at our IG station! I was so happy people were using the stations!

I can’t believe my elbows spell out my last name when I put them together! How funny! Some familiar faces? iJustine, MatPat, AtomicMari, and Steph!

Ahhhh!!! It was my first time meeting Aria – Jen’s baby who is about 5 months old! Can you believe little Jen had a baby? It’s crazy. I credit Jen to teaching me how to do winged liner. She’s just gorgeous.

Aww it’s like a family holiday pic! I call this the music crew. Can you spot your fave musicians here? Oops we’re missing someone…

Ok had to redo the pic because Kurt was missing. Now smile everyone – one more time! We’ve got Sam Tsui, Madilyn Bailey, Casey Breves, Laura, Patty, Jason, Sam, Manny, and Jimmy!

Being so Asian with Wong Fu Productions and friends! It’s Phil, Wes, Christine, Ashley, Ally, Travis, Chris, and Dan!

Pretending we’re in a 90’s boy band (or something like that) with Phil and Wes!

Boba and bean bags at 1am. Ugh this party was filled with so much laughter and positivity. I had so much fun that I forgot to eat. And when it was over, all the food was GONE!!!! Hahahaha. Just my luck. I did sneak in a matcha boba though, so I was happy about that.

I went to sleep super late but when I woke up I had this crazy idea…with 2017 coming and with me leaving my 20’s in January, I want to do something totally radical…to my hair! I’ve had my ombre for a few years now, and a much as I love it, I want change! But like, crazy change. I just feelin it.

What do you guys think if I dyed my hair an ombre fashion color? Here are some inspo’s:



I don’t wanna cut my hair and I don’t wanna dye it another regular color. I guess I’m just feeling really creative now and my body is telling me to go for it. Let me know what you think and if I should do it! Or if you have other hair ideas…link me a pic in the comments!

OK love you and hope you have a wonderful weekend! 1 more week until Christmas and Hannukah! WAH!

Low Carb Cranberry Orange Bread

 

Hey Guys!

Today is the annual Blogilates Holiday Party and this year it’s an UGLY SWEATER PARTY!!!! We are almost all set up and ready to go. I will snapchat you guys while we’re setting up Prom Committee style…and then I will show you everything once it is all done and people start showing up! AHHHH SO EXCITED!!! It is my first Ugly Sweater Party ever!

Now, let’s talk FOOD.

Have you moved from pumpkin everything to cranberry everything yet? I love me some pumpkin spice, but cranberries only get one starring month: December. I feel like pumpkin season is pretty much October-all the cold months. But cranberries, not so much.

I just had to make something using these antioxidant power-houses since I spotted an organic bag of them on sale at Trader Joe’s, but of course, I wanted it to be healthy. The loaf I created is gluten-free and low carb because I don’t use any white flour or sugar. You can make it Paleo by using coconut sugar. I used Monk Fruit because it bakes just like sugar but without any calories. It’s non-GMO and easy to find on Amazon.

The absolute best part about the recipe is that you make it in the blender. I know! The blender! It’s super easy and combines two flavors I love together: orange and cranberry. The dense bread is really filling and only lightly sweet with little tart pops of cranberry goodness. The orange zest adds a lot to the flavor, so be sure to zest your orange! This recipe would be really good with sugar-free chocolate chips, if you like chocolate. Ok- Let’s get to the recipe!

LOW CARB CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD

Yield: 9 servings

Serving Size: 1 slice

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 40 min

Ingredients:

4 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour
1/3 cup monk fruit (or erythritol, coconut sugar or sweetener of choice)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon orange zest

Method :

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover the bottom of an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Coat the paper and up the sides of the pan with cooking spray.
In a large blender, add the eggs, vanilla, and juice. Blend on low for 10 seconds. Add in the flour, sweetener, baking soda, salt, and oil, and blend on low for 10 seconds.
Pulse in the cranberries and zest until most of the berries have broken up slightly. They do not need to be blended fully.
Pour into loaf pan and bake for 40-42 minutes. Cool before removing. Enjoy!

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 256 | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Net Carbs: 5g | Fiber: 3.5g

Ok gotta go get ready for the Ugly Sweaty Party!!!

Dark Bloom is out and I’m barely alive.

Hey guys!

WHEW! I am so relieved after launching the new POPFLEX #DARKBLOOM Collection on Wednesday! I am exhausted in every way possible – mentally and physically – but all the hard work the entire Blogifam put in to this resulted in something soooooo magical. As you guys know, I did a huge photoshoot last Friday in the mountains so I want to share some of the BTS with you! I want you to get to know the team and see what goes on behind a single photo. Note that this DEF does NOT happen every time I take pics for IG (usually it’s an iPhone pic) but I wanted to step up my game and inspire you with new sceneries and looks.

Let’s get started, shall we?

So let’s talk about that banner image you saw on the POPFLEX homepage!

The inspiration behind this photo were fairytales and magic. I have recently gotten into watching Once Upon a Time (I’m only on season 2) and I think it really helped bring out the Regina (evil Queen) in me for this shot! I wanted my crimson red nails to match the apple to match my lips while wearing The Queen’s Coat. 

My amazing friend and celeb makeup artist/hair guru Tiffany made sure the reds were ON POINT.

Look how different iPhone pics look compared to a professional photographer’s photo! The difference is like night an day – LITERALLY. That’s Daniel – he’s a really good photag. He’s just a wizard with the camera.

 

In between the hiking to different locations, we set up this pop up changing tent for me. We did 6 locations and 6 outfits. It was also very very windy and cold, so holding up this tent required some real muscle. Or else I would have flown away in the changing tent kite, naked. That would have been bad. Thanks Sam and Leslie for holding down the fort! Can you tell that it was COLD!?

New location. The rocks at the Rock Pools. The entire shoot was done at Malibu Creek State Park – ugh so gorgeous. Doesn’t even feel like LA.

Tiff put my hair into cute braids and I wore my Fairytale Long Sleeve with Cabernet Pop Shorts and these wedge hiking boots from Sorel. (I don’t recommend actually hiking in these boots but they’re cute for walking!) I recently posted this pic on IG and it’s one of my FAVORITES EVER!!! I feel like it’s an Abercrombie ad or something!

Like I said, it was cold. Like REALLY REALLY COLD. Oh and windy…to the point where it sounded that monsters were howling… and then…rocks were falling off the mountain in our direction, making noises that sounded like gunshots!!! SO SCARY. I almost thought I was going to die.

I’m glad I did not. :)

I love this picture. It shows everyone working together in sync. Lexi is the one taking these BTS photos, so imagine she’s right here holding the camera! There were 7 of us total there for this shoot! (I’ll post this pic on IG later.)

This is Laura – she is a good friend of mine, a professional ballerina and my awesome stretch coach! We stretched together 3x or more a week for an hour to an hour and a half in order to increase my flexibility and core balance. We did A LOT of pose training for this shoot. I can’t wait to show you more of my poses – but I’m wearing some pieces that won’t be released til Jan and still need to be perfected…so…I gotta keep it a secret and we’re all just gonna have to wait!

BIG BIG thank you to the entire Blogifam for being with me on this shoot. You guys are amazing and clearly, none of this would have been possible without the teamwork of the amazing souls right here in this photo. From L to R, it’s Lexi, Laura, Sam, Daniel, me, Tiffany, and Leslie!

After this shoot, we were all so tired…freezing…exhausted…but we shared dinner in a cabin in the mountains. It was quite lovely. Then the following Saturday and Sunday, I died. I couldn’t even move my arms from all the posing we did. It was really hard to put up a ponytail on my head. I had to lay to do it!!! Hahaha.

Then on Monday, it was time for the e-commerce shoot!

This time the roles flipped and I was BEHIND the camera, directing and model coaching. Never thought I’d be doing model coaching but I’ve learned a few things in my day to make anyone look good on camera! (As the model coach from my Hot Body Year Round  book cover shoot once told me, ARCH ARCH ARCH YOUR BACK AND TIPPY TOES PLEASE!!!!!) I swear your lower back and your calves will be sore for DAYS. It is no joke.

The pics all turned out so stunning. You’ll be seeing a lot of these ladies – Gracie, Kassia, and Taylor! Their BTS photoshoot blog post can be seen here. It’s a fun read!

Thank you guys for your feedback always. Remember that survey you participated in a few months ago? 40,000 of you filled it out!!!

You openly shared your bra size, your top size, your bottom size, your height and helped us create the perfect fit for the clothes…and drum roll please…YOU HELPED US EXTEND OUR SIZE RANGE. We now go up to size 16 because of you!!! SO BIG THANK YOU for your feedback! I am ALWAYS reading and listening.

This is a REALLY BIG deal for me and for POPFLEX because the plus size market is not well represented, if at all, in the activewear industry. Lululemon only goes up to size 12. Nike, Adidas, and Athleta only go up to XL. ALO Yoga goes up to Large. These are HUGE multibillion dollar companies. They could have made the change if they wanted to. But they did not.

Here’s a ALO Yoga’s size range:

Lululemon offers up to size 12:

In under 1 year, little baby out-of-the-womb POPFLEX has already made the size extension because YOU, our fans, our POPsters, asked for it. And guess what? I am here to SERVE YOU so it was a no brainer to do this. But I will tell you it was an extremely challenging process getting to understand the physical female body at all sizes and shapes, and the way it moves in regards to clothing. We did a lot of “torture tests” on the clothes to make sure they could withstand the “Squat Test” and the “Boob Jiggle Test.”

So thank you guys. You have no idea how much your feedback, good or bad, means to me. I read EVERYTHING. But I’m not just listening. I’m implementing – taking action.

Anyway, random rant on sizing there! This was meant to be a BTS post. Haha. I will do a whole ‘nother blog post or maybe even vlog on sizes at another point and really get into it.

What do you guys think of the new Dark Bloom Collection? I hope you love it! Let me know in the comments below!

How to Quit Drinking Soda + a $250 Giveaway!

It’s fizzy, it’s sweet, and gives you a jolt of energy as you take a refreshing gulp of that bubbly nectar.

Soda.

Growing up, my dad was ADDICTED to soda. He brought home a 2 Liter of Coke every night and drank it like you would drink water. My mom got so mad. She kept telling him and telling him to stop, but he wouldn’t listen. He was hooked. It wasn’t until YEARS later (maybe I was in high school?) that I think he read some article about the excessive sugars in soda, got scared, and cold turkey stopped.

If you’re reading this article, you most likely want to find a way to stop being so dependent on soda. I want to congratulate you because this is the first step to making the change. I’m going to give you very good soda-like alternatives that will keep your tastebuds satisfied! Promise!

SO, HOW TO QUIT?

GET RID OF THE SODA IN YOUR HOUSE: Out of sight, out of mind! If it’s not there, you won’t be tempted.

CARRY A WATER BOTTLE: Stay hydrated! This way, you’re less likely to grab a can of soda when you’re thirsty. I really like to add cut lemons and fruit into my water so that it becomes tasty and flavorful! Water does not have to be boring! 

Great combos are:

Raspberries + Lime
Strawberries + Cucumber
Strawberries + Lemon
Cucumber + Lemon + Mint
Oranges + Lemon
Watermelon + Mint

I mean, the possibilities are endless! Anything can work! Well…maybe except bananas…that would be weird.

FIND FIZZY ALTERNATIVES: A lot of times, we’re addicted to that cold, bubbly FEELING as we drink soda. But, what if you could get the same feeling without the added sugars and the extra calories? Would you do it? You can try sparkling water with infused fruits or try drinking KeVita’s Master Brew Kombucha!

I’ve been drinking KeVita for a couple years now and when I find another person who drinks it, we get all giddy, because WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER and understand the treasure that we have discovered! KeVita is a beverage brand that makes some of the most delicious kombucha drinks (fermented tea drinks) aka the hottest health drink in LA as far as I know!  KeVita’s Master Brew Kombucha has 4 billion CFUs of live probiotics (so good for my gut health), beneficial organic acids and organic caffeine. There’s only 8g of sugar per serving (16 oz) versus the 39g of sugar in a can of coke (only 12 oz).

Honestly guys, every time I drink a bottle, I literally feel like it’s a treat! It feels like soda because of the natural carbonation and organic caffeine but without any of the excessive sugars and calories. YAY!!

The Master Brew Kombucha comes in a ton of cool flavors like Pineapple Peach, Raspberry Lemon (my fave), and Dragonfruit Lemongrass! All the drinks are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, non-dairy, vegan, and kosher…so for me, it’s very safe for my skin and doesn’t make me break out. This usually happens when I consume anything high in sugar or that has milk in it.

You can get KeVita at your local grocery store, but if you can’t find it, try a Whole Foods or a health foods store. They usually run for around $3-$4, but if you’re lucky, you can grab them at 2 for $5 once in awhile!

Now…time for a GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away a $250 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky POPster! Spend it on all the things that will make you feel healthier! Or you can spend it on anything else I guess since I can’t check ;P

To enter, all you have to do is:

Visit KeVita here and pick out your fave Master Brew Kombucha flavor
Then comment below what your fave flavor is!

Contest ends Monday, December 12th and is open to all POPsters, worldwide!! Good luck!!

Also, be sure to check out the store locator here so you can find out where you can buy KeVita near you!

Thank you so much for reading, and thank you so much to KeVita for sponsoring this post and giveaway for us!

Dec 7. #DarkBloom.

Hey guys,

It is Sunday afternoon and I have not worked out at all this weekend. Don’t worry, it’s not a lack of motivation, rather…IT’S SHEER PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION!!! Guys, my arms are done. I’m tired. I’m exhausted. I’m nearly immobile. Ponytails hurt too much.

But I’m so excited.

Friday was the big day – It was the POPFLEX Winter Collection shoot and I had so many crazy poses planned. It was a day full of hiking, yoga posing, Pilates posing, inversions on a cliff, planks on boulders, and splits on trees. My body aches so much. Plus, it was so cold all day in the mountains which did not help my muscles. My body was SHIVERING the entire time. Oh yeah and it was so windy that rocks started falling from the mountains! REALLY SCARY!!!! I thought a rock was gonna take me out and we’d be done! Then when we got in the car after sunset, I wore my huge puff jacket, put the heat up to 81 degrees F, clicked on the butt warmer to the highest level and I was STILL freezing to my bones for the 1.5 hr ride home.

But guys… IT WAS WORTH IT.

Yesterday was everything I had practiced for and the photos turned out even better than I wanted. I cannot wait for you to see them. And guess what? You will get to see them…this Wednesday Dec 7th, 2016.