This post is sponsored by Biochem.
Another trip around the sun, another crazy, adventure filled 365 days! I know this post is a little late, but life has been so crazy (crazy good)!! A lot has changed over the past year – moving across the country, new jobs, new friends, new dreams, but much has remained the same: every day I try to take care of myself the best I can while still having some fun. After all, life is all about balance.
So many people rag on getting older, but if you ask me it seems a whole lot better than the alternative. I’ll take some wrinkles, sun spots, and grey hairs in return for more memories and meaningful moments. However, the body does change so it becomes more and more important to take care of ourselves as the years go on.
The biggest change for me in recent years has been joint pain. Over the years my ankles and knees have taken a beating thanks to gymnastics, wakeboarding, and endless shenanigans, but haven’t been a problem. I used to make fun of my sister when she mentioned her aching joints, but with each passing year there’ve been a couple new pops and cracks in my knees when I stand up after debating between almond butters at the grocery store. I don’t plan on slowing down any time soon, so I do what I can to protect my joints and prevent injury - I do a lot of exercises specifically to strengthen my knees and ankles, but I also add supplements to my routine, because without sufficient protein and nutrients, the workouts don’t matter.
I don’t eat meat consistently, so I oftentimes throw a protein supplement in the mix. There are a lot of options out there, but I prefer Biochem’s plant-based line of protein powders, because they’re packed with natural protein that tastes dang good. My all-time fav is their “Flex” vegan vanilla plant powder; It provides a ton of natural protein but also has anti-inflammatories like turmeric (if you haven’t tried turmeric, it is an AMAZING natural anti-inflammatory agent), ginger, and Ayuflex. I add FLEX to everything from smoothies to oatmeal to yogurt to baked goods (like I said, “balance” ☺)
I know it sounds contradictory to put a “health” supplement into baked goods, but if you know me, you know I’m a baking junky, and I refuse to give it up. So, because I realize it’s not the healthiest hobby, I modify most of my recipes to use less or no sugar, substitute butter for applesauce or avo, and/or use alternative flours. But on top of that, I like to jazz it up and sneak in some other goodies like protein powder The Biochem vanilla is my fav because it has no funky protein-y taste and actually enhances the flavor while providing benefits. Holla!
It’s easy every day choices like this help me keep my health in check without cutting any of the fun. So as you grow, “age”, and continue to make memories, remember to take care of yourself but to not take yourself too seriously. Instead of battling for PERFECTION, try to incorporate small healthy habits into your daily routine (while having fun).