Plan a LOVEly, Healthy Picnic Lunch this Valentine’s Day

by Cascade Ice on February 1, 2021

Photo: @PeachinSeattle

It’s just weeks away from the national “day of love” – Valentine’s Day. And it’s our first Valentine’s Day holiday where people are looking for ways to get creative and celebrate while social distancing and staying safe during the pandemic. Personalized picnics are a fun way to get out of the house, get fresh air, and enjoy the company of loved ones while staying safe. Here’s our tips on how to plan a Valentine’s Day picnic that is healthy and FUN!

Get comfortable

Some areas of the country may have perfect weather for a picnic, while others may still be cold. So, prepare for the climate that you’ll be picnicking in! Bring foldable lawn chairs, thick blankets and a small portable space heater to stay comfortable in colder climates. In more temperate areas, bring some sunglasses, a blanket and an ice chest to keep things cool while you enjoy the picnic. You can snuggle with your special someone and enjoy the scenery if you’re prepared for the right weather.

Pack some healthy snacks

Pack some cheese slices, fruit, fresh veggies and dips, and even some crackers. Or make a small sandwich spread where you can combine healthy ingredients to make your favorite sandwich. Make sure to prepare everything before you head out like packing food in airtight containers and bringing appropriate silverware so you can spend your time enjoying the picnic rather than worrying about what you will eat. To top it all off, maybe include a healthier dessert like chocolate covered strawberries for dessert!

Don’t forget the beverages!

Plain old water just won’t cut it for a special Valentine’s Day picnic! Try a sparkling water like Cascade Ice Water, and maybe even pack some extra add-ins if you’d like to whip up a skinny cocktail on the spot for that special someone. We have loads of cocktail and “mocktail” recipe ideas that are low-sugar and low-calorie, so all you have to worry about is what glass you’ll enjoy it in!

Are you planning a Valentine’s Day picnic this year? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

January is ‘Life a Balanced Life’ Month. What are you doing to achieve a healthy balance?

by Cascade Ice on January 8, 2021

What exactly does it mean to live a balanced life? For different people, “balanced” might mean different things. Life is a balancing act between fulfilling our desires and obligations to our family, friends, career and health. And if one area of our life gets more attention, it tends to throw off the other areas. So how do you achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle?

A great place to start is by writing down where you think your life is now, and where you’d like to see yourself improve. Are you chronically tired? Are you wanting to be in better shape? Do you long for closer relationships with your family and friends? Define what a healthy balance means to you and start there.

Another important thing to remember is that while having goals is a great way to motivate, make sure that you approach them realistically by making small, daily improvements to your relationships, your physical body, your spiritual needs, your mental health, career and finances. Here on our Flavorful Life blog, we talk a lot about how making small changes can have a big impact on your health for years to come. Check out some of our past blog posts!

Lastly, be flexible! Lifestyle balance cannot be made overnight and expect to change your course at least a few times. It’s quite normal to reassess how you feel about things, and decisions are definitely not etched in stone. If you feel something isn’t working, switch it up! Make time for yourself each day to “check in” and see which areas of your life need some rebalancing. We are all a work in progress!

How do you strive for a balanced life? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Instead of Making Resolutions, Try These 4 Things Instead

by Cascade Ice on December 30, 2020

Making New Year’s resolutions has become a tradition, and a vast majority of people tend to make resolutions to be healthier. But whether it’s to lose weight or exercise more, many healthy resolutions fizzle out just a few weeks into the year. So instead of setting ourselves up for failure, what can we do instead?

Attaining goals is all about making small changes daily that add up over time and end up becoming long term lifestyle changes. As humans, if we set our ambitions too high and don’t make our goals, we tend to self-sabotage or even feel guilty. Rather than start 2021 out on the wrong foot, try making these small, daily changes to your life!

Hydrate

A recent study found that 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated, which leads to issues like fatigue, hunger, headaches, weakness, high blood pressure and even chronic joint pain. Keep water in various places in your home and car where it’s easily accessible so you can sip throughout the day. You can even set daily goals for yourself (they even sell large water bottles that have markings on the side showing where you should be at different times of day!). Regular water feels boring? Cascade Ice Sparkling Water offers plenty of different flavors and product lines to suit your needs and keep things interesting.

Get Some ZZZ’s

With the rise in electronic usage, we have also become sleep deprived. Try setting realistic limits for yourself to turn off your phone, tablet or TV at least 30 minutes before bedtime each night and try to establish a regular sleep routine. Aim for 8 hours of sleep per night, and make sure your room is dark and quiet. Sleep plays into our overall health, affecting everything from your ability to maintain a healthy weight to fending off depression and anxiety.

Interact with Others

In a global pandemic, it’s definitely tough for everyone to resume fun activities like parties and vacations, but it’s now more important than ever to make sure you’re not “over-isolated.” Try making a regular Zoom call with your family or even schedule a socially distanced outdoor picnic with a friend. The benefits of seeing those you love (even if it’s not in-person) are tremendous – talking with friends can boost the serotonin levels in your brain, leaving you feeling happier and more content. Get creative with ways you can interact with others on a daily basis and you’ll notice that your physical and mental health will get a boost!

Move Your Body

You don’t have to set your sights on establishing a strenuous new fitness routine. This daily goal can be as simple as taking the dog for a long walk twice a day (which benefits you AND your pup!), or even stretching and meditating at home. There are thousands of resources online to suit your preferences, but all that matters is that you move your body for 30 minutes out of your 24-hour day. You’ll be surprised how these small physical fitness goals can transform into an entire healthy lifestyle change, keeping you moving by becoming a habit.What healthy do you have for the new year? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

‘Diary of This Girl Megan’ stirs up some low-calorie, easy-to-make cocktail recipes

by Cascade Ice on December 30, 2020

One of our favorite lifestyle bloggers, Megan Pribble of Diary of This Girl Megan, recently shared two original drink recipes featuring Cascade Ice. Although these cocktails are perfect for holiday sipping, they can be enjoyed year-round as well.

In her blog post, she tells us how she uses her favorite line of Cascade Ice sparkling Waters – our USDA Organic line in 8-pack cans – as a refreshing beverage on its own, or to add a kick to low-calorie and low-sugar cocktails!

Always free of calories, sweeteners, sodium, not to mention USDA Organic and non-GMO, Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Waters come in eight different flavor options to keep things interesting!

Check out Megan’s blog for more info on how you can easily whip up a Fizzy Mimosa Cocktail and Pomegranate Mango Fizz – How yummy do those sound? Cheers!

What are your favorite kinds of cocktails to serve around the holidays? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.