Current Faves: Quarantine Week 15

Hi there, and Happy Friday my friends!

I’m getting into the habit of finishing up my latest blog posts during Skyler’s nap times, and that’s exactly what is happening today. We had an eventful morning together that included a long walk to Target, Old Navy (they have a killer t-shirt, tank, and summer sale right now for kids and adults), and more than an hour at our local splash pad. Skyler is officially obsessed with playing in the water, and we are both feeling tired after several hours of being out and about in the sun.

It’s a good kind of tired, however, and I’m currently treating myself to an afternoon coffee as I proofread and publish. (I didn’t quite finish my morning cup … so whatever. It’s almost the weekend.)

But I am going to try to get better about posting earlier in the day again! Quarantine is such a weird, weird time. What is time, am I right? We are finishing out Week 15 here in New York City, and that just seems wild … around 105 days and just into Phase 2 of re-opening!

Below you’ll see highlights from the week for this Friday Favorites post. Thank you for checking in to read, and I hope you have a great day!

LATEST FAVES — QUARANTINE WEEK 15

• clean supplements: a breakdown of what I use and love

It’s been years since I’ve posted about this subject, because I am extremely picky with supplements. The quality, taste, and reason to take something has to be really good for me to use it. And, just to throw it out there, I’m a firm believer that supplements aren’t required, but they do help in achieving optimal results and have many benefits.

I’m excited to be teaming up with NOW® Sports to talk about this with you today! Their products are clean, safe, and effective for every level of athletics and include amino acids, endurance support, energy production, protein powders, recovery, and more.⁣

I always make sure to get my foam rolling and stretching in, and here are my other go-to products for post-workout recovery!
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Protein Powders: an easy way to increase your protein and help build muscle. I’ve tried some not-so-great powders in the past, and hats off to the variety in flavors that are vegan, paleo, and keto-friendly. My favorites include pea and plant protein complex in creamy chocolate, and I can drink it in a shaker bottle with almond milk, add it to a smoothie, or even sprinkle it into recipes like waffles, pancakes, energy bites, and more. ⁣

BCAAs: aka branched-chain amino acids fuels hard-working muscles when taken before, during, or even after exercise. Amino acids help in building muscle and promote post-workout recovery.* This powder tastes great and comes with or without caffeine, depending on your preference in flavor.

Natural Energy Boosters: NOW® Sports offers a full line of energy-focused supplements to give an extra boost pre or post-workout.* It sure beats chugging your typical energy drink that is loaded with sugars and who knows what else, am I right? These Effer-Energy Effervescent Tablets jazz up your water with the perfect amount of electrolytes and have been great to take with me on my longer runs. ⁣

On top of these supplements for recovery, I take a daily multivitamin, and I add collagen to my morning coffee for support in bone, join, and skin health.*

PROMO CODE

Don’t forget to use the code LIFEINLEGGINGS at checkout on nowfoods.com to save 20% off your order.⁣*

*Offer valid through 11:50 PM CST 6/30/20 only on nowfoods.com. Prices are as shown. Some exclusions apply. Must use coupon code LIFEINLEGGINGS in the Promotion Code field at checkout. While supplies last at nowfoods.com. This offer does not apply to applicable taxes or shipping and handling. Offer cannot be used on previous purchases. NOW Health Group, Inc. has the right to end any promotion at any time.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

• the playgrounds and splash pads have re-opened

New York City entered Phase 2 of re-opening on Monday, and it’s been huge for us. While we were nervous for Skyler to get back to playing in public places, they have been extremely clean and everyone has been adhering to social distancing practices. Most kids wear masks (we’re still working on this with Skyler … it’s a daily fight), all adults wear masks, and adults have been very hands-on in making sure their kids play away from others.

With all of these factors, we feel safe bringing Skyler back to the playgrounds and make sure to bring hand sanitizer, wash our hands, and keep to ourselves as much as possible.

He was so excited when we told him we were going to the playground, and he now asks to stop by one of many around us at least twice a day.

He also runs in with excitement every time and says “I miss the playground.” (Melt my heart, why don’t you.)

We’re learning how to properly dress a toddler for a splash pad, which includes a rash guard to protect him during hours in the sun, shoes made for water play (I found these at Target, but I have my eye on a pair of Native Shoes), and a toy or two. I found this Sand Bucket Set for $10 and it’s already proved to be well worth the spend — for time in the water or in the sand!

He’s getting a bit spoiled right now, and that’s completely okay. It’s been a long three months explaining that the playgrounds are closed while staring at them from the outside. So, for now, we will be visiting them on a daily basis … as long as we continue to feel safe.

• last day for a clean beauty giveaway

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway I’m running for a free full-sized Beautycounter product on my Life In Leggings Community page. You can visit the page, message me, or subscribe to the LIL clean beauty newsletter to find out more info!

Also, Beautycounter launched its first daily facial sunscreen last week! I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you soon (I’ve been waiting until it’s back in stock to include more details — it sold out quickly!), but make sure you’re covered outdoors with a great mineral sunscreen in the mean time. You can shop the Countersun line here, and I’m holding the extremely portable sunscreen stick in the photo above. I love, love this product and use it on myself and Skyler while we’re on-the-go all the time.

If you’re new to Beautycounter, let me know, and I can help you get 10% off of your first order. And please, reach out to beautycounter@lifeinleggings.com if you’d like to chat or need anything at all!

• lunch dates, and our first dine-out experience since March

Along with playgrounds, barbershops, and some hair salons, select restaurants have started to re-open with outdoor seating and strict protocols. Again, we were weary about this at first, but every restaurant we passed in our neighborhood seems to be doing it right.

They space out a limited number of tables, they require all staff to wear masks, and some have even reserved street parking spaces for additional socially-distanced seating.

Scott and I decided to finally enjoy a quick bite out yesterday, since we were able to take advantage of a fantastic lunch special at one of our favorite local spots. (If you’re near the Park Slope area, TAVA Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant is rarely talked about and highly underrated, in my opinion.)

It felt pretty amazing to dine out, even if it is a “new normal” with outside, spaced out, masked seating. The feeling of eating fresh food from a restaurant right after it’s prepared (versus at home when we get there with take-out), was refreshing, and hey, there wasn’t a sink full of dishes that followed. I sure to miss dining out on a regular basis!

We’re taking baby steps for now, and will most likely venture out when it makes sense about once a week.

• latest workouts

I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to getting back to the gym! While I have been enjoying at-home workouts and really love running outside, the increasing temperatures are not making it easy. And somedays I just miss lifting heavy things, ya know?

That said, I am still making the best of it and have a goal to get moving every day, whether it’s going for a long walk or run, completing a strength session, or anything else that gets my blood flowing.

I’ve been trying to find more workout channels to turn to online, and I’ve really liked what I’ve found on Heather Robertson’s channel. She has a ton of free workouts you can stream and follow along in real time. They go by really fast and I always love the combos!

Here are links to the workouts I tried along with some thoughts.

Friday: 4 mile run around the neighborhood

Saturday: long walk outside with the boys

Sunday: REST – Father’s Day

Monday: 3.2 mile run around the park – it was so hot out!

Tuesday: TOTAL BODY HIIT Workout // Strength + Cardio via Heather Robertson

Wednesday: REST

Thursday: 40-Minute No-Equipment Cardio and Sculpting Workout via POPSUGAR Fitness

(Jake DuPree is one of my favorites for killer at-home workouts. They’re effective and he cracks me up the whole time. This one was just released a few weeks ago, it gets your heart rate up A LOT, and it requires zero equipment. Just remember to break as needed and go at your own pace because he generally moves fast!)

Looking back at my week, I did a lot of cardio between running and HIIT workouts. I’m feeling like I could have incorporated more strength into my days, so I’ll keep that in mind for the week ahead.

• favorite LIL posts

» The Best (Vegan) Chocolate Chip Cookies

In the mood to bake? These vegan-friendly cookies are free of dairy and eggs, and full of flavor. If you don’t believe that they’re “the best” … try the recipe out for yourself and let me know your thoughts! 

» Father’s Day & 5 Quick Things To Simplify Your Life

This post is brought to you in real-time, much like the type of blogging I used to do twice a day. (Yowza!) Check out a quick Father’s Day recap along with a handful of simple things I do to simplify my days.

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All right. It’s time for me to get back to the day.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week!

*Disclaimer: The NOW Foods portion of this post is sponsored. All opinions remain my own. Friday Favorites posts may contain affiliate links. Also, I am a Beautycounter consultant and love what I do with the company. By using the links provided in this post to order products, you are supporting my business. I always appreciate you!