Kickin’ It with Lifestyle & Mommy Blogger Cassidy Phan

by Cascade Ice on July 24, 2014

Living healthy doesn’t happen overnight, it takes commitment and perseverance to achieve your goals.  Today we’re Kickin’ It with lifestyle & mommy blogger Cassidy Phan. She’s sharing some great tips on how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Why is “Healthy Living” important to you?

My father passed away when I was young due to poor health choices.  Not only do I want to be around for my family making the best choices possible, it just makes me feel better.

Who are your “Healthy Living” role models and why?

Not one individual in particular, but parents who are able to balance working out, cooking (delicious) healthy meals and keeping their kids involved the entire time.

What is your go-to healthy meal when you are short on time?

My current obsession is a microwaved sweet potato with different toppings like feta and green onions or broccoli.  It always surprises me how one little potato can be so filling!

Do you have any tips for families who want to make some healthy lifestyle changes?

Start small!  In the past if I attempt an extremely lofty goal, I end up getting discouraged and just fizz out on momentum.  Making smaller, more attainable steps towards the bigger changes helps me keep going.

Are there any foods that you consider to be off-limits completely?

Only because I am a baby, but spicy food. I don’t think it is wise to completely ban something you might desire.  If you have personal objections to a particular food sure, but if you want it in moderation why not?  Food is one of my favorite parts of life!

In addition to eating right, do you have any other tips to share on overall wellness (i.e. sleep, relaxation techniques, fitness routines)?

I notice I am feeling my best when I getting a lot of time doing three things:

• Sleeping well
• Drinking water
• Practicing yoga

For me, a great yoga class and a good night’s sleep go hand in hand.

To see more of Cassidy’s tips, visit her Dallas Moms Blog or her personal blog Teh Wifey. You can also connect with her on Instagram and Pinterest!

Kickin’ It with Health Coach & Healthy Food Blogger, Anjali Shah

by Cascade Ice on July 10, 2014

With all the cookouts and barbeques taking place this summer it’s important to eat right and stay healthy. Today we are Kickin’ It with Anjali Shah, Board Certified Health Coach and Healthy Food Blogger at The Picky Eater, and she’s sharing some great tips on how to rock a healthy lifestyle.

Why is “Healthy Living” important to you?

Healthy living is important to me because of how it makes me feel! When I’m eating healthy, exercising well, living a balanced and stress-free life, I feel so much better. I have more energy, I’m able to fit more things into my day, and I’m much, much happier. On a particular day, if I happen to eat a bunch of junk food or don’t get enough sleep I notice the difference immediately.

Who are your “Healthy Living” role models and why?

My healthy living role models are actually my parents. They were the ones who instilled healthy habits in me from a young age, and the main reason why I grew up to be so health-conscious. My mom was a runner throughout her life, even into her 50s! Additionally, at the age of 63, my dad still exercises daily. He’s super active, plays ping pong and badminton, and cooks the most delicious healthy meals ever.

What is your go-to healthy meal when you are short on time?

I like throwing everything into a blender and making a smoothie. I’ll put:

• Kale
• Apples
• Berries
• Spinach
• Almond butter
• Pear slices
• Ground flax seeds
• Organic milk

It’s super filling, packed with protein and tastes delicious!

Do you have any tips for families who want to make some healthy lifestyle changes?

Start small, don’t try to be “perfect” or do everything at once! My two main tips for families who want to make healthy lifestyle changes are:

1. Go grocery shopping and start cooking 2-3 healthy meals at home using tons of vegetables, lean protein, and whole foods
2. Try to work in 30 minutes of exercise into your day 4 times a week.

Do activities you enjoy as a family. Whether it’s taking a walk together, going swimming, going on a hike, biking, etc., it will give you a chance to spend time together and be active at the same time!

Are there any foods that you consider to be off-limits completely?

For me, it’s more about the ingredients in a particular food item versus a type of food (because I do like indulgences in moderation and I think that’s part of living a balanced and healthy life!) For example, I’d never eat fries from a fast food restaurant (because those are often heavily processed and barely even made with whole potatoes), but at a place where I know there are only 3 ingredients in the fries (potatoes, olive oil, salt) – I will totally have a few! Also, I won’t eat the shelf-stable packaged donuts at the grocery store, but I will definitely have a piece of a donut baked fresh at a bakery or patisserie. The ingredients I try to avoid are basically any ingredients that are heavily processed and that aren’t whole foods.

In addition to eating right, do you have any other tips to share on overall wellness (i.e. sleep, relaxation techniques, fitness routines)?

Yes! Three of my favorite wellness tips that I try to abide by every day are:

1. Making sure I get enough sleep at night. Sleep is so important to your overall well-being and it helps maintain a healthy weight too. I try to aim for 7 hours a night.
2.  Exercising 30 minutes a day. I like running, yoga/pilates, or walking on an incline.
3. When I’m feeling stressed, I take 5 minutes of “alone” time to do some breathing exercises and re-center myself. It does wonders in giving me some perspective and making me feel a lot calmer!

To see more of Anjali’s tips, visit her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Kickin’ It With Today’s Nest Writer Sam Henderson

by Cascade Ice on April 17, 2014

With the Easter holiday and all the yummy food & treats that go with it just around the corner, we know maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a little more difficult. So for an extra boost of healthy-living inspiration, we are Kickin’ It with Sam Henderson, Food & Lifestyle Blogger at Today’s Nest.

Why is “Healthy Living” important to you?

I try to set a good example for my two sons. As a former fitness trainer, I understand the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. I have a lot more experiences to share with them and I want to be around for that to happen. Healthy living also keeps me on top of my game. From business to creativity, being healthy makes it easy to focus on what is important to me.

Who are your “Healthy Living” role models and why?

My uncle. wWen I was a kid, he was the healthiest, fittest guy I had ever seen. He was a farmer and worked long, hard days, but he still made time for workouts in the evening. He liked sweets, but he always enjoyed them in moderation.

What is your go-to healthy meal when you are short on time?

An egg white, spinach, and tomato omelet on whole wheat flatbread. Sometimes I slip a little low-fat swiss cheese in there. It’s so easy and so good.

Do you have any tips for families who want to make some healthy lifestyle changes?

Get everyone on board. Get everyone’s input when making the weekly menu and shopping list. Make sure it’s viewed as a lifestyle change and not a ‘diet’. Make it fun by challenging yourselves to see how many “super foods” you can fit into one meal while still making it taste great. Surf the web for quick, healthy dishes and avoid ‘ready made’ dishes. 

Are there any foods that you consider to be off-limits completely?

I don’t consider any food completely off limits unless I just don’t like it. However, there are foods that I rarely eat. I believe life is to be enjoyed. Yes, I do occasionally eat a hot dog. I know what’s in it, but sometimes I just have to have one. I think it’s a mistake to deprive yourself of things.

In addition to eating right, do you have any other tips to share on overall wellness?

My number one tip for overall wellness is to create a routine and stick to it. Our bodies and minds like routine. If you get up at 6am, do it every day. Begin each day with a giant glass of water and a quick stretch. Try to get to bed around the same time each night, but before you do, take the time to review your day. Do a mental dump and jot down anything that might require follow up in the morning. This way you will be able to fall asleep easily.

Interested in seeing more of Sam’s tips? Connect with him on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube or on Twitter.

Cheers to the Winter Olympics with Festive Drink Recipes

by Cascade Ice on February 20, 2014

As the XXII Olympic Winter Games come to a close, make sure you have one last hurrah for Team USA and their accomplishments! Get some friends together, kick back, and salute all the athletes with some tasty, festive drink recipes inspired by Cascade Ice.

The Gold Medal

• 1 oz Peach Mango Cascade Ice
• ¾ oz Cointreau
• 2 oz rum
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• Top off the drink with ¾ oz of Cointreau

Combine the Cointreau, rum, Peach Mango Cascade Ice, and lemon juice together in a cocktail shaker. Stir and then strain into a glass. Salute to the gold medal winners! 

Olympic Flame

• 1 oz Pomegranate Berry Cascade Ice
• 3 oz cherry-flavored vodka
• ½ oz triple sec
• Splash of fresh lime juice
• Pineapple garnish

Combine the vodka, triple sec, and Pomegranate Berry Cascade Ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a tall glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge and enjoy!

Russian Treasure 

Have fun and enjoy!