Happy Friday!

What’s your weekend looking like? I have one class to teach on Sunday and besides that it’s going to involve a lot of resting. Yes, I know I just rested for five days, but it’s not the same as resting in your own house. I want to tidy up and unpack some things I have lying around (I’m looking at you, NOW goodies), so this weekend will be a perfect time to do that.

To get this weekend started, let’s take a look at what topped my list for Five Things Friday.

1. This Bar Saves Lives

I had seen these in the store, but hadn’t actually tried them before. I was sent a sample of three of their flavors and OMG I want to eat them all the time. No BS. A lot of times the bars I eat are either meal bars when I’m running out the door super early or protein bars after a workout. I don’t have a lot of simple, no-frills, healthy snack bars at my disposal, so I’m so glad that I tried these.

The best part is that for each bar bought, the company donates a meal to a child in need. Love. So really, a win win for everyone (especially my tastebuds). You can read more about the company and their mission here.

2. Ceviche

I know I already ranted about how delicious the ceviche was in Mexico, but I figured it was only appropriate to include as one of my favorite things since I ate it 4 times in 2 days. Can someone please give me a delicious recipe for it??

3. New LUNA Bar Flavor

I had the opportunity to attend a rooftop workout earlier this week co-hosted by A Sweat Life and LUNA to promote their new flavor, Berry Greek Yogurt. I’m usually a chocolate/PB type of girl when it comes to bars, but this one is actually really good. Which reminds me I need to pick up some more of that chocolate chip cookie dough flavor.

4. TECHmunch Live

TECHmunch conferences have been around since 2010 and are typically day-long events held in multiple cities across the country. They are for anyone serious about food and for PR and marketing agencies interested in working with said content creators.

TECHmunch Live is a TWO day, FREE live-streaming conference that you can tune into from anywhere. I’m honored to be speaking on a panel entitled “Beyond the Blog: Diversifying Skills to Build Your Brand and Your Business” with a couple other wonderful Chicago influencers.

If you’re interested, you can read more about the inaugural event here and also sign up to attend! My panel will go live today at 1 pm (PST), so 3 pm here in the Midwest.

5. Heat Patches

Ok, so for some not-so-good news, I seem to have injured my back almost immediately upon my return from vacation. I tweaked it during a workout about 2 weeks ago and then made a point not to exercise at all and rest it during the 5 days of my vacation. My first workout back, I did one kettlebell swing and that’s all she wrote. My back felt like someone had stabbed me, I had to stop the workout, and I even stopped at urgent care on the way home, which, if you know me, means there’s probably something wrong.

The first day I was having trouble even walking without it spasming and I would have to take a huge breath to fill my lungs and brace my core before moving at all. It’s slowly getting better, but I’m not allowed to work out and the Ibuprofen I was prescribed isn’t really doing anything (which is what happens when you pump your body full of opiates for years). I did make sure to tell her I’M IN RECOVERY DON’T GIVE ME ANY NARCOTICS, but man is this situation annoying. You never really realize how much you use your back until you can’t use it correctly anymore.

What has been helping in the meantime are these heat patches I picked up. I used to get the Thermacare ones years ago when I had more back issues, and I wish I had stuck with the brand name this time as well. These are fine, but they don’t seem to get hot enough for me. That could also be because I’m used to scalding hot showers. Anyway, point of the story = back messed up bad, heat good.

One more addition I have for this week is to share an upcoming event focused on raising awareness about women’s health and fertility. You know I love my raising awareness campaigns, especially ones that aren’t easy to talk about, so for all my local Chicago readers, here are some details for the event on July 13th. Sadly, I’ll be out of town, but it looks like there’s lots of food, drinks, and SWAAAAAG.

Fertility Fest is a girls night out with a purpose!  Fertility Fest is a night of pampering, shopping, and honest conversation about fertility and women’s health.

Fertility Fest will take place Wednesday, July 13, 6-9pm at Greenhouse Loft in Logan Square.

Come grab a cocktail, relax, and mingle with friends and Chicago’s best women’s health professionals who are on hand to chat and answer any questions.

Tickets include premium beverages (One Hope Wines, Lagunitas Beer, & Social Enjoyments cocktails) and delicious food from Food For Thought.  Guests will also enjoy complimentary pampering services including massage, skincare, manicures, hair styling & make-up, as well as local designers displaying clothing and jewelry!

There will be swag bags for all attendees (value over $150).  And several raffle options from spa wellness package, fitness & nutrition, and day out on the town!

Get tickets here!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fertility-fest-a-night-to-shine-a-light-on-fertility-tickets-25333498175

That’s all I’ve got for this week. Enjoy your weekend and I’ll see you on Monday!!

Questions:

• What are you doing this weekend?
• What’s one of your favorite things from this week?