Happy November, friends! It's one of my favorite months of the year because of Thanksgiving AKA yummy food and treats! (In moderation of course :) ) But first, let's review some of my October favorites that you MUST try!
Rice Cakes Garden Tomato & Basil
I've been eating these for the last couple months, but I absolutely had to share these with you! They are too good not to tell! S/O to Jill Christine Fit for introducing these gems to me and the rest of her Instagram followers because WOW, life changing. I probably eat them every day, whether it's as a snack or as a open-face sandwich. One of my favorite on-the-go small meals/snacks is eating them in place of bread for a tuna sandwich. They are an excellent option if you're looking for something a little more flavorful than regular ol' bread. Plus, they're gluten free for any of you gluten intolerant friends out there! I've eaten them with ground turkey and ground beef with toppings, as well. You can find them for ~$2.25 per package at Walmart, Hy-Vee, and other stores, I'm sure! Give 'em a whirl!
One brand I absolutely love is LIVE FIT APPAREL. I initially came across this brand on Instagram 1-2 years ago because a couple of the people I follow and who influence me the most are reps for LIVE FIT. I believe in the brand and what they stand for, so I would highly recommend giving their apparel a shot! The material is very light and breathable. I love it, but I could definitely see how it might fit better on someone who has a longer torso than me. (I'm 5'3" and all legs no torso). It's affordable and you get 10% off when you enter a reps code at check out. LIVE FIT has a ton of other amazing items that you should try, as well!
Nike Tanjun - Black Red Bronze
OMG SHOES! Sorry if you get that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day now (TBT to 2006). I'm pretty bad at moving on from old shoes. I find shoes I like and wear them until they're basically in shreds, which is what I did with my last ones... I had Mizuno's - they were comfortable and great for running especially since I have really high arches. But last year, I went hiking in them and tore the fabric on a few rocks, which made little holes... which turned into big holes... which lead me to these comfortable and casual Nike's! I wear them at work and during some of my work outs. Although I've only had them for a few weeks, I have nothing but great things to say! 100% recommend.
Pull-Ups
Pull-ups have become a staple movement for me over the course of October. I've started adding them to both of my upper body days AND my full-body days, which has lead me to see some improvement in my pull-up endurance and grip strength. If you aren't incorporating them into your workout routine, start now! They primarily work your back (lats, upper back, and rear delts) and biceps, but also engage your core and forearms (grip strength). Utilizing different forms of grip such as wide grip, neutral grip, and reverse grip will put the focus on specific muscles amongst the ones I listed, too. Start on an assisted pull-up machine or with a resistance band before you go for the solo pull-ups. Additionally, performing the lat pull-down exercise will enhance your pull-up strength, too. Good luck!
Hopefully I'll have some yummy holiday recipes for you in my November favorites blog, so stay tuned!
XOXO
- Katharine