Kickin’ It With Shopping’s My Cardio Writer Becki Singer

by Cascade Ice on April 3, 2014

Happy April! With spring break officially behind us and those warm weather days quickly approaching, one thought comes to mind when we think about living healthy: hydrate!  This week we are Kickin’ It with Becki Singer, Editor and aspiring style icon at Shopping’s My Cardio. Read on for some of Becki’s tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why is “Healthy Living” important to you?

I think we’re overrun with unrealistic and unhealthy expectations, especially in the fashion world. The older I get, the more ridiculous it all seems. Rather than focusing on an ideal shape or size, I focus on making choices that will make my body happy, things I know will help it run better. If I stick to that rule, I generally end up being pretty healthy.

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

Mark Bittman and Melissa Clark are both food writers at the New York Times, and they’re remarkable advocates for eating well in every sense of the word. If you eat whole foods, in season, cooked with care, it’s hard to go wrong.

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

I make a lentil dish I absolutely love. Put a pot of French green lentils on to cook (don’t salt the water!), then sauté a bit of kale (I add salt and red chili flakes) in olive oil over high heat until it crisps up. Drain the lentils, add the kale, and stir in red wine vinegar and more olive oil. It’s so substantial and filling, and has such great flavor! It keeps for days in the fridge, so I’ll make a big batch and eat it for lunch all week. For more protein, you can add chicken sausage, or a piece of broiled salmon – it’s incredibly versatile.

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

I think the easiest thing to do is start reading ingredient lists. As soon as you see what’s in some of the processed foods you buy, you’ll naturally start to make better choices. Also, if you have access to one, sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture – you’ll get fresh organic produce every week, only what’s in season. If you’re anything like me, it will force you to eat more veggies because you can’t stand to waste what you get!

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

No. I find that anything I completely ban myself from just becomes an obsession. If you want a cookie, have a cookie. Better to have one now than to spend two days craving it, eating 10 other things in place of it, and then binging on a whole box when you finally cave. Or is that just me? 😉

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

Lately, I’ve been trying to look up more. Even taking 10 minutes to step away from my screens (or books or magazines), breathe and take in the world around me makes an incredible difference in my state of mind.

Want to see more of Becki’s tips? Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or on twitter @shoppingscardio.

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!

Kickin’ It With Examiner.com Blogger Barbara Akowuah

by Cascade Ice on February 13, 2014

Happy Thursday! How are you keeping active and healthy throughout the week? To get some inspiration, we are kickin’ it with Barbara Akowuah, blogger from Examiner.com. Barbara is a health and style peruser and a lover of all things vintage. Check out her healthy living tips below! 

Why is “Healthy Living” important to you?

Healthy living is vital to living your best life. It’s important to maintain good health in general because it affects all areas of your life, from the way you think to the way you feel. Healthy living subscribes to the idea of nurturing your body so that you can be at your best performance at all times.

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

My healthy living role models would be Author and Hypnotherapist Attila J. Polonyi, and Mike Adams founder of Natural News. They both inspire me through the work that they do. They each help and encourage others to live healthier and happier lifestyles!

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

When I am on the run and short on time, my go-to healthy snack would be banana or kiwi, avocado and coconut water.

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

My advice to families is to pay attention to what you eat and the way food is being prepared. If there are any changes you can make to your diet, even if it means gradually eliminating unhealthy foods, then that would be a great start. Instead of soda, drink water. If that’s too much to pass up on then have an alternative that tastes just as great but is much better for you – like Cascade Ice!

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

I am really not a fan of raw foods so I would have to say anything that is uncooked – especially raw meats – would be off limits.

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

Exercise is essential. I noticed that when I am not exercising for lengths at a time, I have a tendency to become more sluggish and irritable. Exercise helps me to break away from negative habits and helps lifts my spirits and boost my overall confidence.

What is your favorite Cascade Ice flavor and why? 

I have two favorites – Lemonade and Pomegranate Berry! I like to drink Cascade Ice Lemonade along with my meals as a thirst-quencher. And Cascade Ice’s Pomegranate Berry is what I like to sip throughout the day. It’s one of those drinks you’ll see next to a pile of papers at work – it’s refreshing and keeps me alert!

Connect with Barbara through Examiner.com!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with These Delicious Recipes!

by Cascade Ice on February 6, 2014

Have you thought about what you’ll be making for your honey this Valentine’s Day? Let Cascade Ice help with some delicious, romantic (and guilt-free) cocktails that will make your date say yum!

Love Potion Pizzazz

• 2 oz. Cascade Ice Pomegranate Berry
• 1 oz. vodka
• Garnish of cherries
• Ice
• Garnish of orange (optional)

To mix up the irresistible potion, mix 2oz of Cascade Ice’s Pomegranate Berry with 1oz of vodka. Add a garnish of fresh cherries and you’re ready to go!

Passion Pucker-Up Cocktail

• 3 oz. Cascade Ice Black Raspberry
• 1.5 oz. tequila
• Lime
• Raspberries
• Orange wedge
• Ice

Mix up this tantalizing drink by pouring 1.5oz of tequila and 3oz of Cascade Ice Black Raspberry over crushed ice into your mixer. Next, add the juice of a lime wedge and a handful of raspberries. Garnish the cocktail with an orange wedge and you’re ready to serve!

Blushing Sparkler

• 4 oz. Cascade Ice Pink Grapefruit
• 10 oz. whipped vodka
• Lemon
• Ice

Mix 1oz of whipped vodka, 4oz of Cascade Ice Pink Grapefruit, the juice of a lemon wedge and a handful of ice in a mixer. Pour the cocktail into a chilled glass and garnish with lemon wedges.

Pomegranate Berry Martini 

• 2 oz. citrus vodka
• ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
• ¼ oz. Cascade Ice Pomegranate Berry
• 1 oz. simple syrup

If your day needs a little something special, try this Pomegranate Berry Martini! Shake all the ingredients well in a martini shaker full of ice, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel and serve!

Looking for more Valentine’s Day date ideas? Check out our Valentine’s Pinterest board for tons of inspiration!