Cassey Ho's Blog, page 108

Your 2016 December Workout Calendar!

Hey guys!!!

HAPPY DECEMBER!!!!

AHHHH I love this time of year so much. The sparkly lights, the Christmas trees, and the cheery attitude of everyone around me – ahh it just makes me so happy inside! I also LOVE buying presents for people. It’s so much more fun than getting presents! Watching my friends’ and family’s reaction when they open the perfect gift is EVERYTHING to me. I live for it!

Anyway guys, 1 more month until JANUARY 1st, 2017.

WHATTTTTT.

Like, what. It’s also going to be my burrrday in Jan and it’s gonna be a milestone for me! EEK!! I’ll be leaving my twenties. OH BOY… But let’s not talk about that…let’s talk about the very last month of 2016! It is your chance to prep for all the amazingness that will be 2017. Let’s get a head start on everyone! So, with that said *deep breath* here is your FINAL CALENDAR of 2016!

Click to save hi res version

Let’s get through this together! Don’t miss a day! And to add a little more cheeriness into our lives, I’m hosting a 12 day IG challenge and giveaway! Have a look:

For the first 12 days of December, we’re all going to post a picture a day based on the guidelines above! It should get your creative juices flowing, PLUS it’s such a great way to meet other POPsters! Be sure to hashtag EACH PHOTO you post #12daysofPOPmas so that you can be entered to win…one of the three 2017 Blogilates Fit Planners I’m giving away!

UMM YAH!! This is going to be super exciting! And so much fun! So here’s how to officially join in with me and everyone in the community!

Save the graphic above and post it to your IG account! This way I know you’re in!
Follow @poppilatesofficial, @blogilates, and @popflex_active on IG because we’re giving away 1 planner on EACH ACCOUNT!
Tag 2 friends to join you!

The challenge is open to everyone internationally, all over the world!! And we will pick 1 winner on each IG account! So you have 3 chances to win this beauty…aka…the best Fit Planner we’ve ever designed!!!

Alrighty guys, I’m SOOOOOO EXCITED FOR THIS MONTH!!!! The Blogilates HQ XMAS tree is almost fully decorated. Just waiting on like 14 more ornaments, but who’s counting!!?? :P Once I have it all decked out, I will take a pic and show you guys!

K I love you so much. Time to go stretch and get ready for the POPFLEX shoot on Friday. If everything goes as planned, I really think you will LOVE these pics…and the clothes :) I’ll give you a release date soon. But just gotta finalize a few things!

Join me in the #12DaysofPOPmas!

 

Hey guys!

I thought it’d be fun to do a 12 day challenge for the first 12 days of December as we gear up for the holidays! It’ll be a great way to meet other POPsters, feel the love of our community, and spruce up your Instagram! Plus, if you do all 12 days, you’ll be entered to win the 2017 Blogilates Fit Planner! Here’s how to join:

Save the photo above and post it to your IG account! This way I know you’re in!
Follow @poppilatesofficial, @blogilates, and @popflex_active on IG because we’re giving away 1 planner on EACH ACCOUNT!
Tag 2 friends to join you!

From Dec 1 – Dec 12, just post the pic of the day and be sure to hashtag #12DaysofPOPmas so other POPsters can find and like your pics! After the 12th day of POPmas, we will announce 3 winners who will each be receiving the 2017 Fit Planner! One winner for each account! The challenge is open to everyone internationally, all over the world!!

Here’s a look at your gorgeous 2017 planner:

The cover. Foil details. Succulents.

Sparkly silver strap to securely hold your planner closed. Or it can be used as a bookmark!

Track your water, your food, your workouts, your sleep, plus your to-do list of the day! This is more than a Fit Planner, it’s a LIFE PLANNER!

Art. Every month showcases the flora of the season.

Motivational quotes to push you along!

I’m so excited that you guys have been posting your selfies with the planner! I look at these everyday and it makes my heart so happy! Continue to post pics using the hashtag #popflex and you may get featured on the popflexactive.com homepage! (Just scroll down a little!)

Also, have if you guys watched my Belly Bloat Blaster workout, then you’ll know that today is the day that I am announcing the 3 winners of the 3 Google Chromecasts! And well, here are the lucky POPsters!

Congrats girlies! I’ll be contacting you soon!

OK Y’ALL!!! Let’s do the #12daysofPOPmas together k!? Comment below if you’re in!

How Giving Brings Joy to your Life

Hey guys!

First of all HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Just a  few more hours and I am headed to the airport to go see mi familia. Yes, I am traveling ON THANKSGIVING because I have traveled the eve of Thanksgiving before and it is horrendous. I mean…have you seen this video yet!!???? Yea, I live in LA.

Now, let’s talk about GIVING. I truly believe that the most effortless path to happiness and success is through GIVING. Let me explain.

The holidays are the most common time of year to give and receive. People tend to be more generous with their time and money – buying gifts for families in need, donating more at church and volunteering at soup kitchens. It’s a window of about 6 weeks where we, as humans, decide to think about others just a little bit more! But I wonder, why is the season of giving so short, and why can’t we find ways to give throughout the year in order to have more joy in our lives? I have a few guesses:

1. It’s costly and time-consuming to dive in with both feet month after month. Most people go at it hard-core for a month or so because they know they don’t have to sustain it, and it’s at a time when people need it most. Who can bear the thought of any child waking up without a gift underneath a Christmas tree? That’s why we rally the way we do! The rest of the year, however, we seem to forget that kids need shoes because they outgrow them so fast, or food for school lunches, because 1 in 5 children in the U.S. doesn’t know where there next meal will come from.

2. We simply forget the joy we feel from doing good. It feels great in the moment, but when there are less opportunities staring us in the face, it’s not on the forefront of our minds. I mean, there aren’t Toys for Tots bins at every CVS from January to November, so it’s no wonder we’re not thinking about it year-round.

3. We discount the little things, so we opt to do nothing at all. Big gestures, big checks, big volunteer work…they all lead to big joy. But if we don’t have time to go to Mexico to help build a house, or even the funds to write a big check, we dismiss the small joys that come from little gestures.

So how do we overcome these barriers in order to keep the joy alive all year, and really enrich our own lives, while doing good for others? I’ve compiled a list of things that make me completely and utterly joyful. One of them is being around my sister! Joy is contagious….so be around people who make you happy. That is my #1 suggestion!

Simple Gestures for Every Day Joy:

Use Ink: Hand-write all thank-you notes. This is a small way to give and receive joy. When we sit down and put pen to paper, we spend at least 5 minutes in our gratitude. Anyone can send a quick email or text, and most everyone does. But imagine the gift giver receiving a card in the mail that essentially says, ‘I love you enough to take time out of my day to honor your generosity.’

Pay it Forward: This concept isn’t new, but it is oh-so-powerful! If you’ve never offered to pay for someone’s toll behind you, or given an extra $5 to the Starbucks cashier to pay for someone’s latte, you are missing out on one of the easiest joys in the world! Even though you’ll never see the recipient’s expression, you’ll smile to yourself, like a secret joke meant just for you, that you sneakily improved someone’s day, and that likely, they’ll pay it forward in some way or another.
Tidy Up: This can be around the house, for sure, but I’m talking about at the gym! The next time you’re putting your equipment away, pick up some stuff for another class member. You’re going there anyway, and you probably have the extra hand, so grab their mat or dumbbells, and rack them. If it’s Pilates or yoga, bring a few extra sanitizing wipes from the wall dispenser, and pass them out to some yogis near you. It’s a small gesture, but you’ll definitely received big smiles and huge ‘thank you’s.’
Hold It: Hold doors for people! So many of us are walking with our faces smashed into our phones, so why not be different?! Walk with an awareness of who’s around you, and make the effort to speed up, or slow down, in order to catch and hold the door for someone else.
Pick It Up: It may not be glamorous, and perhaps no one will ever know, but you’ll relish in your kindness to Mother Earth. If there’s an obvious piece of trash lying about, pick it up and throw it away. I’m convinced part of why Disneyland is ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ is because they keep it so pristine. With thousands of people walking through it each day, there’s bound to be litter, but guess what, you’ll never see it because Disney makes sure of it! Doing the right thing always feels good. I dare you to not feel a twinge of satisfaction the next time you go out of your way to pick something up that doesn’t belong.
Adopt: One of the coolest-and free-things you can do is a program called ‘Adopt a Soldier.’ Basically, you become a pen pal to our nation’s finest. Who knew that just listening, sharing and supporting could make such a difference in the live of a soldier who might be homesick, or in a scary part of the world? If you have an extra $30 or so bucks to spend a month, you can also adopt a child in a third world country through World Vision. The money goes to medicine, food and schooling for the child, and it’s tax deductible. But the cool part is, you also get to exchange letters with your child and you can send small gifts like stickers and pencils, which mean the world to them.
Pass It On: Give specific hand-me-downs to friends you know will love them. If you have a friend who loved your blue romper, but you bought two new ones and might not wear it anymore, give it to her! All other things you don’t wear or need: donate to Goodwill!

Speak Up: This one is so important! Do not hold back your words of praise and gratitude! You always hear people at funerals say,”I wish I’d told her I loved her,” or, “I should have told him how proud I was.” We never think time is running out until it’s too late. So speak up and say the words that pop into your head! You should also do this in the workplace! If a co-worker does a stellar job, tell your boss! Seek out a store manager to tell her how an employee went above and beyond to serve you. Tell the principal what a fantastic job your child’s teacher is doing. Never hold back kind words!
Spare Some Change: If you see an expired parking meter, please reach into your purse and grab $1 in coins and fill it up! That small kindness could save someone a really expensive ticket!
Feed Hungry People: This one is so easy, especially if you live in a place like I do with a large homeless population. All you have to do is give your doggie bag to someone on the street. It costs nothing and means everything. I do this all the time because I hate seeing food go to waste almost as much as I hate thinking about people suffering from empty bellies.
Eye Contact: Spend a day looking up from your mobile device and into the eyes of people on the street, in elevators, at school and at restaurants. Smile and say hello. You’d be surprised at how off-guard people will be at first, but once they look up, make eye contact with you, and say hello back, the smile that washes over them is priceless.
Acts of Service: Time is our most precious commodity. When you spend it on someone else, the rewards for them, and for you, are immeasurable. So bake some goodies for someone, go to the grocery store for an elderly neighbor, make dinner for a stressed friend, run errands for a single parent, knit a scarf, babysit for free. Just give your time; you’ll see it’s worth more than gold!

My hope is that you steal some of these and incorporate them into your own lives. People always mention how happy and positive I am. But I wasn’t just born happy. Things aren’t always rosy; joy is a choice in most cases. If you seek out more of what you want, and put more of it out there, it becomes a mirror, a reflection of what you want to be in this world. My suggestions are simple. I want to give you basic ideas that don’t sting, don’t take tons of time or money, but that bring small amounts of incremental joy to you, and those around you. With that foundation, you’ll be able to experience more daily smiles, more gratitude with much less stress. Before you know it, people will be commenting how YOU are their inspiration because you’re so happy and positive!

Why the scale still affects me

Hey guys,

For the past month, I’ve been working out and eating extra EXTRA clean because I have a big photoshoot coming up! (It’s actually for the new POPFLEX collection coming out this Winter!) And let me tell you, nothing gets me more on track than knowing that there is a looming deadline ahead that I NEED TO HIT. I’m feeling really happy about the small differences I’m seeing in my body, especially because I know it takes SO MUCH for my physique to change. Focusing on having fun when I work out, having fun when I cook, and having fun when I’m stretching (even when I’m feeling like I’m going to die) makes the whole process so much more enjoyable and seem so much quicker.

So then if I’m feeling all chipper and good about my bod, what’s the deal with the title? “Why the scale still affects me.”

REAL TALK TIME.

No I haven’t gotten over it. For some reason, the scale still has so much power over me and so many other women alike. Every time I step on it, I feel like it’s judging me. Judging how worthy I am.

My thought process goes like this:

If the number stays the same, I can be assured that I haven’t done wrong.

If the number goes down, it’s a fleeting inner celebration that I know can be taken away from me after my next meal.

If the number goes up…oh boy…if the number goes up…then I am a complete FAILURE.

Before I started getting ready for my shoot, I admit I was taking a break from eating super duper clean for some months, and I felt a little fluffier. But it didn’t really bother me too much because I was still working out 5-6x a week, going hard, and seeing strength gains in the weights I could lift. When I picked a date for the shoot, I also picked a start date for my clean eating to begin. This is usually accompanied by a weigh in, just so I know where I am. I stepped on the scale, a little nervous, but hoping I’d be no more than a few pounds heavier than what I last remembered.

When I stepped on that scale over a month ago…it was everything I feared. I wasn’t 1 or 2 pounds heavier. Not 3 pounds heavier. Not even 5. I was nearly 10 lbs heavier than what my “you need to stay here or else” weight was. Immediately, I started to panic, I started to regret, I started to  hate myself for letting go, and I cursed myself for throwing everything away that I worked so hard for. Was I living in some facade world not realizing how far I had slipped? Stupid me to not stop this. I laid on my bed in fetal position and let the tears roll. I bathed in my own inner hatred. I let myself feel every excruciating ounce of sorrow. I lay there, crying, feeling like a defeated pile of failure.

I’m not even being dramatic here guys. This is real. I probably laid there motionless and terrible for 20 minutes and moped for another few days.

Why? Why does the scale do this to me? Isn’t it “just a number”?

Yea, it is a number. But somehow one that can control my happiness.

I’m going to do a deep dive into why I am this way. Because it’s weird, it’s silly, and clearly, it’s 100% psychological. The story begins with my childhood.

Growing up, I was chubby. I was overweight. Kids called me fat. When I was in elementary school, I was wearing 12’s and 14’s when I should have been an 8 or under to be at a healthy size, according to my doctor. Wearing jeans was out of reach for me, unless they had elastic. And as a little girl who dreamed of one day becoming a fashion designer, not being able to try on the coolest styles hurt a little more than they would have the average kid. Because of my size, I was chained to stretchy flower leggings with large shirts or corduroy overalls. (I did love those overalls!)

But my day finally came. I remember being in 6th grade and begging my mom to take me to the mall to try to find some flares. All the girls at school had flares and they looked so cool. After searching through racks and racks of pants, I vividly remember the moment I FINALLY was able to squeeze into my first jeans (they were black flares from Ross). I could barely get my thighs through the leg opening and my fingers turned white from trying so hard to push the silver button into the hole. But when the button went through and stayed in place, I was SO HAPPY! I didn’t care that my tummy rolled over the edges. THEY ZIPPED.

At home, there was a scale in every bathroom, even the guest bathroom, so it was a habit for me to know where I stood with my weight. I’d weigh myself everyday and my parents would ask me how much I weighed. Look, I don’t blame them at all because our parents grew up in an age where a lower weight and a lower BMI meant a fitter, healthier body. That’s what they were told. But now we know that this is not true. There is so much more to to it – there’s muscle mass, there’s bone density, and of course what really matters, fat percentage.

As you can see, at a young age, I learned that having a lower weight meant success. It meant fitting into my new jeans. It meant kids not making fun of me. It meant the doctor could finally say I’m at a healthy weight for my age.

Unfortunately, this thinking carried over into my adult life even after being at a healthy weight now for over 17 years. So now, when I gain weight, I equate it to being unsuccessful and all those feelings of sadness and humiliation arise again.

To deal with this, I haven’t stepped on the scale for over a month. And honestly, I don’t plan on stepping on it for a very long time. I don’t want to let this number control my confidence and my happiness. And so far, avoiding it all together has helped me a lot. It’s helped me focus on what actually matters – how great I feel in my clothes, how much longer I can run for, how much more weight I can lift, how low I can get in my splits, the tone that’s coming back to my frame, and having fun along this entire journey. I see progress and I feel progress. So I don’t want to shatter those positive feelings with a number that means nothing to me.

The goal is to one day be able to step on the scale, see the number, look at it 100% objectively, and move on with life.

I’m not there yet, but one day I will be. Until then, I’m going to keep doing my thing and loving life sans scale.

Fit Gifts Under $11 for the Workout Girl

Hey guys!

It’s the week of Thanksgiving! WHAT!!!!! Are you ready for endless Pumpkin Pies a la mode with Martinelli’s Sparking Cider galore!??? I’m so excited to be going home to the Bay Area to see my mom, dad, and sister. My mom was actually in Vietnam for 2 months and we haven’t talked for a while, so it’ll be good to catch up and hear about her adventures!

Have you done your holiday shopping yet? If you’re anything like me…I DESPISE long lines, terrible parking, waiting forever, and going to the store only to find that the thing I wanted to buy is GONE. So, I’ve started shopping already, because, ya know, once a good student, always a good student right? LOL JK. I am actually a huge procrastinator…but this year, things are a-changin!

Finding the perfect fit gift for the workout girl in your life can be hard when you’re looking for something unique, cute, and affordable. So this year, to make it easy for everybody, the BlogilatesDesigns.com 50% OFF EVERYTHING Black Friday Week sale starts TODAY and will end on Nov 28th!

This is the deepest discount I’ve ever done, so TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW. Here are my top 5 fit gifts under $11:

#1. A Timer Water Bottle!

I use this bottle everyday to help me stay hydrated. Hitting the time marks on the back of the bottle is like a little game I like to play to help me drink more water! There are 10 colors/motivational sayings to choose from! Only $10. Reg: $20.

#2. The 12-Week Fit Journal

12 weeks is approximately the time it takes to TOTALLY transform your body if you are 100% committed and dialed in. 3 months. That’s it. If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to stay on track and motivated, this Fit Journal IS EVERYTHING. You can write your meals, your workouts, your sleep, and your groceries all in here. Only $11. Reg $22.

 

#3. A Detox Bottle

I always drink my water with fruit in it. In fact, the trick is the use FROZEN FRUIT in your water so that it stays super cold and tastes ultra flavorful! This fruit infuser water bottle also has a timer on the back, in case you can’t choose between the Jewel Timer Bottle and this one. Only $9. Reg $18.

#4 Pilates Power Ring

I use the Power Ring to tone my inner thighs and work my shoulders. It’s so light yet so effective when it comes to toning your muscles. A typical Pilates ring like this normally costs $25-$35. This ring is already on clearance, so with the extra 50% off code, you will get it for only $6.48. Reg $19.95.

#5 Blogilates Track Jacket

Something soft and cozy to warm up in! Full zip up jacket with “train insane” around the neck as you proudly rep your fave fitness instructor, me! LOL. Sorry just had to. Only $5.50 after discount. Reg $32.80.

YEA so these prices are pretty cray! Go take advantage because we’re trying to clear the warehouse for more goodies to come in next year! Be sure to use the code “thisiscrazy” when you check out for the 50% off discount code to apply.

Thank you for always supporting guys! Have a fantastic week with your family and friends!

 

The Best Time to Stretch? Bedtime!

Hey guys!

As some of you may know, I am all about stretching right now. I want to improve my flexibility so that my Pilates can be better, my workouts can be better, and so that I can look more open and free in Instagram pics! Hahaha. Tis the truth.

The best time of day to stretch for me is at the tail end of the day, after a hot shower and right before bed. The muscles are most supple at this point. I like to match my fave shows, either Once Upon a Time or Lisa Ling’s This is Life, and get real lost into what’s going on on TV. That way I can hold my stretches longer. TV distracts me from the pain! Good pain of course.

So here’s the routine I do before bed. Have a look:

Toast Art. It’s a Thing.

Hey Guys!

You know how I feel about pretty food! It’s like edible art that must first be made with love and creativity, then photographed for IG (of course) and then eaten with pride and pleasure, especially because it’s BREAD! I don’t eat bread often, and when I do, I use a sprouted grain type like Ezekiel or a gluten-free brand. Check out these yummy flavor combinations I came up with:

UGH SO GORG.

Beet Hummus & Egg Toast: I started out with a beet hummus from Trader Joe’s and layered one sliced hard-boiled egg with Persian cucumber slices. I then topped it with a little salt and pepper, a sprinkle of micro-greens for extra concentrated antioxidants and a few roasted sunflower seeds. The bright pink beet hummus makes everything look gorgeous! This one is quite filling and has a great balance of protein, fat and carbs! I’d say the flavors are earthy with the perfect amount of crunch and nuttiness.
Nutella & Raspberry Toast: Moving over to something a bit dessert-y, I whipped up a Nutella toast for friends, since I don’t eat chocolate. But I know chocolate and berries go really well together, so I had to make it, even though I couldn’t eat it. All you have to do is start with a light smear of Nutella and place any kind of berry on top. I grated some Lily’s sugar-free chocolate on top and sprinkled with a few crushed raw almonds for crunch.

Honey-Almond Apple Toast: This one is so simple, and you probably have all the ingredients at home! So as soon as you’re done reading this, go give it a try! Just use some almond butter and honey, sliced apples and chia seeds to make this comforting toast. But it doesn’t stop there! Some roasted, salted pistachios round out this flavor profile, because c’mon, who doesn’t love apples and nut butter plus more nuts?! The honey just gives it a dessert-feel without being overly sweet, and the chia adds a little crunch and fiber. YUM!
Avocado Pepita Toast: Healthy fat and buttery goodness…that’s what I think of when I think of avocados! Just fork-smash about 1/2 of one small avocado and top with pepitas, white and black sesame seeds and cilantro. Crack some fresh sea salt and pepper on top, if you like, or squeeze on some fresh lime juice! This is another combo that’ll keep you full for hours!

Goat Cheese Tomato Basil Toast: Slice about 6-7 mini heirloom tomatoes (they’re the sweetest) and toss with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Spoon over your toast and sprinkle with about 1 ounce of goat cheese and several fresh basil leaves. You could probably add kalamata olives too if you like a salty punch! I like the tangy sweetness of the tomatoes with the creamy bitter cheese and fresh basil!
Island Toast: This one is like a party in your mouth! Cashew butter gets spread over the toast, and then you top with banana coins, toasted coconut and thinly sliced fresh pineapple. OMG! It’s creamy, rich, sweet, tart and crunchy all in one!

Which one would you make first!!??

Leg Slimming Workout! PIIT28

Hey guys!

Enjoy this free PIIT28 Leg Slimming sequence! A mixture Pilates for muscle toning and HIIT (high intensity interval training) to burn fat – PIIT28 is the the BEST workout for getting fit QUICKLY. It’s only 28 min and 4o sec a day and your body and legs will TRANSFORM! PIIT28 is my GO-TO when I am getting ready for a photoshoot or an important event because it really works for me (and my body really likes to stagnate because I’ve done so many workouts for so long). So, I’m sure it’ll be awesome for you!

And if you’re more of a video person, then here’s a workout vid of me doing the entire thing with you! Just play me 4 times to do the entire workout together! :) Make sure you go AS HARD AS YOU CAN for 45  sec and then take your 15 sec rests preciously. The highs and lows of your heart rate is designed to help you burn fat like a furnace!

Also if you’re interested in the full 28 day plan, get my PIIT28 e-book which also comes with follow-along workout videos for every day, animated GIFs, a bonus stretching guide, and a forum where you can connect with fellow PIITsters! Have fun!

Zucchini Tater Tots! SOOOO GOOOD.

Hey guys!

Can you even handle these cute little tater babies? :P

They’re slightly crispy on the outside and soft and potato-y on the inside. You won’t miss the real fried starchy ones AT ALL if you make this recipe. This is the ultimate tater tot junk food healthy swap!

The sweet potato adds a slightly sweet richness to them that regular tater tots don’t have, plus you get the added bonus of zucchini inside every little bite. These are far less fatty and carby than store-bought tots, so get to the store FAST for the 4-ingredients you need (yeah, that’s it!!) and then post for me to see, admire, and drool over…because mine are gone and I already want more!!!!

ZUCCHINI TATER TOTS

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: approx. 9 tater tots

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 55 min

Ingredients:

2 medium sweet potatoes
1 medium russet potato
2 large zucchini
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of pepper
Coconut oil cooking spray

Method :

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Peel the potatoes and place in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with cold water and bring to a boil over the stove.
Keep at a low boil for about 25 minutes, or until just fork tender but lightly firm in the center. Drain and cool slightly.
Shred the zucchini with a cheese grater. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let sit 5 minutes, then squeeze out all liquid using a clean towel. Add to a large bowl.
Grate the potatoes and add to the bowl with remaining salt and garlic powder. Add pepper to taste.  Combine everything using your hands until well combined.
Using a tablespoon, form small balls and then shape into tater tots. (You should be able to make between 36-38)
Coat a nonstick baking sheet or parchment with cooking spray. Lay out all the tater tots and coat the tops well with cooking spray. Bake for 30-32 minutes. Serve with a low sugar ketchup or BBQ sauce.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 174 | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Net Carbs: 32g | Fiber: 6g

UMMMM OKAYYYYY. WHO WANTS TATER TOTS NOW.

How to Earn FREE Activewear!

Hey guys!

Weekly, the Blogifam has meetings about you guys, our POPsters! We always talk about what more we can do for you, how can we make being a part of the Blogilates community a cooler experience, and basically how we can keep you motivated and having fun. One of the topics that kept coming up was, how do we get more POPsters into POPFLEX? How do we get you to give it a try? Because we knew…once you tried it, felt the fabric, felt how it slipped onto your body like a glove, you would fall in love! But, we knew that the reality was that for a lot of our younger POPsters, POPFLEX seemed inaccessible.

So, this brought me back to thinking about my olden days in high school. If you can’t buy it…can you at least EARN IT?

Not sure if you guys remember, but I used to run a cookies business as a high schooler and then a high-end prom corsages business as a college student. Both spread wildly through word of mouth because we had a program that helped students earn free cookies and free corsages. It was like a “refer 10 friends and get a free custom corsage” type thing. Being able to work for cool things just by telling your friends while not having to spend any of your own money made everyone so happy!

So I thought, oh man! This is SUCH a great way for you guys to EARN your way to own an awesome POPFLEX wardrobe! Today, I AM SO THRILLED to announce to you the POPFLEX Rewards Program!

In addition to getting 250 points off the bat just by making a free account on popflexactive.com and following @popflex_active on IG and on facebook, you will earn 500 points when your friend buys anything from our store for the first time! Yup. We really want you to know that we APPRECIATE YOU for sharing our clothes with your friends.

And…guess what? Once you rack up 750 points (basically refer a friend + make an account + follow us on FB & IG), you get $10 to spend on popflexactive.com just like that. I mean, it is very very easy to earn your first POPFLEX piece without having to pay anything!

Why are we doing this? Simply put…cuz I want to keep giving back to you guys. I want you to be rewarded every time you choose to trust in my designs and this young brand. It really means to world to me. As far as I know, there is no other activewear brand out there doing something like this. And with the quality of our clothes being as good or even better than Lululemon’s but priced at HALF of their price tags, I think you’ll have an easy time convincing your friends to try it out ;P

Now, I’m also going to be very honest.

Of course the other reason why I want you and your friends to wear POPFLEX is because of my selfishness as a designer and entrepreneur. I have a dream that one day, POPFLEX will be a bigger, better well-known brand that people all over the world will recognize. I want to see this brand GROW. I want to keep designing! I want to see more people wearing it and loving it! To see these creations that started as a mere sketch in my sketch book, then come to life is just. UGH. I can’t even.

THIS IS HOW I FEEL: It’s like the scene at the end of a movie where the underdog/protagonist finally achieves that ONE THING everyone said she couldn’t do, then she takes a moment to stand on top of a hill overlooking the city, eyes glassy with tears, triumph in her heart, and she looks off into the sunset with the wind blowing through her hair. YOU KNOW THAT SCENE RIGHT!!???

Anyway, this relationship we have – always giving to one another – it’s healthy. And I want to nourish our friendship everyday. I want you to know that you’re really important to me.

So, here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come in the next few weeks (fingers crossed).

Is that a little peplum action?!!! Maybe. A jacket? Maybe. A nice thick one that’ll keep you warm…promise. Plus an accessory to keep you even warmer…

I’ll give you a real clue though. The word hiding under those pens are “ankle biter”. Take a moment and think about what that means. I think you’ll really like it though because you’ve been asking for it! ;P

Okay, I have given away too much. I must stop now.

Well, go sign up for the Rewards Program! It’s free! GO!