To overcome the catastrophic coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at hand, it’s important to recognize the positives. One beacon is selfless service. Countless acts by organizations and individuals alike are minimizing the lasting damage. This hard work isn’t only done by the ER doctors, nurses, and first responders constituting our last line of defense. It’s also the good Samaritans doing thankless work next door. We raise our glasses to all the local heroes on the front lines—from all the hospital workers to the grocery stockers, postal workers, small business owners, plus those delivering goods to the elderly and at-risk, #weoweyoudrink.
This week, we got the chance to chat with Santa Monica-based artist/muralist/designer Ruben Rojas. As the co-founder of @beautifyearth, Ruben’s mission since 2013 has been spreading a massive message of love through his art, murals, and speaking engagements across the world. From Paris to New York to Florida, Ruben’s messages of love can be found in urban environments with the intent to simply inspire people to love one another, not only during times of crisis, but every single day.
Photo: Courtesy of Ruben Rojas
Name: Ruben Rojas Title: Artist, Muralist, and Designer Location: Santa Monica, CA Years on the Job: 6 years
MJ: How has your work changed in the last two months?
RUBEN ROJAS: When the pandemic first hit work changed overnight. Many approved jobs with signed contracts were canceled indefinitely and with that, money stopped. Rather than focus on that, I continued my mission and my work, painted murals across town as inspirational reminders to be safe and stay distant.
Two of these murals were, “Love Is Standing Six Feet Apart” and “You Can’t Quarantine Love”—simple reminders for people as they pass by. These murals are a part of history forever and as an artist I’m creating culture and spreading awareness that this is real.
What is the greatest challenge at-hand right now?
Keeping up the momentum that I have created, continuing to grow and scale with limited resources, and trying not to worry about the potential recession or looming financial crisis.
Do you feel at-risk/threatened?
I do not, and I am taking this very seriously being as safe as possible. I also do not see this as a “me” problem or an attack on my liberties, this is a human problem when people are being careless and gathering it does upset me. I get a little sad for them.
Do you see signs of hope?
I see tremendous amounts of hope and positivity that will come from this. Life, as we know it, will drastically change and I am excited to see where we head as a society and I am rooting for us to get closer to our basic humanity.
Should people be working? How can folks help right now?
Of course, essential workers are different. If you can work and be safe, then absolutely, but if you cannot be safe and are putting yourself at unnecessary risk stay home and protect yourself and your family. Ultimately, I believe that staying indoors when possible, wearing a mask when you’re outside around others, and staying away from crowds is about self-respect and self-love. Maybe you have it maybe you don’t, but definitely don’t give it to someone by being careless.
Linda Cardellini, the co-star and a producer of Netflix’s Dead to Me talks about dating your friends, her lifelong love of game shows, and the likelihood of a Freaks and Geeks reboot.
Men’s Journal: Dead to Me is about grief, friendship, and what we’re willing to forgive. Your character hits it off right away with Christina Applegate’s, and they become inseparable. Do you find friendship to be that intense in real life?
Linda Cardellini: I think it’s representational of female friendship. Female friendship is messy. That best friend is the first to tell you you’re messy, but also, if somebody else calls you crazy or messy, they’re the first to defend you. I think female friendships are like family. We’re pretty open about crying, we’re pretty open about anger, and that open communication is what any relationship relies on.
Do you feel the same way about friendships with men?
With a male/female relationship, there can be some guarding going on. I do love my male friends, though, because I can run anything by them and get a different perspective. They’re good at looking at all angles of the situation. I still have the friends I’ve had since kindergarten. Even my significant other—I’ve known him since I was 10.
How did it go from friends to romance?
I don’t really dabble with my male friends because you’ve got to be careful—it will get serious real fast. This seemed like something worth crossing that line for. So we did, and I thought, Well, this is good. This is serious. This is it.
You’ve had an unusual career arc: You’re in your 40s but are just now starting to be cast in leading roles. What’s that been like?
This is the golden era of TV and streaming content, so there are roles that weren’t explored before. When I first started, people would say, “Once you’re a certain age, over 30 or over 40, there’s nothing there.” That’s terrifying. But the business has changed—because there is more content, there’s more room for underrepresented voices and roles that aren’t just for the bright, new, shiny object.
I LOVE WHAT I DO AND CONSTANTLY WORK HARDER TO BE BETTER AT IT—IT’S AS IF IT WERE A SPORT.
Your big break was on Judd Apatow’s cult favorite Freaks and Geeks more than 20 years ago. What do you think has kept you working, versus struggling the way many other child performers have?
I love what I do and constantly work harder to be better at it—it’s as if it were a sport. A lot of it has to do with resilience and perseverance, which is an interesting mix for a creative person. You have to be vulnerable in so many ways, but you also have to have a thick skin, and those two things are in contrast to each other.
Where do you fall on that vulnerable-versus-thick skin continuum?
As a child, I was always told that I was overly sensitive. But the thing that I thought was wrong with me actually became the thing that made me capable of doing what I love. I have learned that sometimes your weakness can actually be a strength.
Reboots and reunions are so popular right now. Could you see reuniting for a Freaks and Geeks where-are-they-now?
Never say never, but it would be a hard one to revisit because so much of that show was about the bittersweet discomfort of being in high school. Once you’re beyond that moment, you realize all those things that you thought were so important aren’t that important, and that the world is so much bigger than your small school. But if everybody signed on, I would love to get back together.
I can’t let you go without asking about this: You once won a fireplace on The Price Is Right?
The first thing I did when I got to Los Angeles was to wait outside all morning to be on The Price Is Right. I was so nervous, but I won a gas fireplace mantle. I was in college living in a dorm, and I didn’t need it at all, but I chose that over the cash value. I had it for years and years, but the funny thing is, I actually lost it in a fire at my storage facility. So yeah, I lost my fireplace in a fire. But I love The Price Is Right—I still watch it. I also watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! I like a good gamble.
Sharing some of my top prenatal fitness tips! While it’s so important to maintain an active lifestyle while you’re pregnant, we want to do it in the safest and smartest possible way.
Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you had a safe and happy weekend. We spent a lot of time at the pool, Tucson got our first summer rain (the best!), and caught up on some stuff around the house. For today’s post, I wanted to share some prenatal fitness tips. (No, I’m not pregnant! #twoandthrough) In my annual blog survey, I had a LOT of requests for more prenatal fitness content. It’s a delicate area because each pregnancy is so different and it’s so important to follow medical practitioner’s guidelines. I thought I’d put together a master list of 10 things that would be appropriate and make sense across the board, so I’m sharing them here!
Here are my top 10 prenatal fitness tips:
1) Avoid the comparison trap. This is a tricky one because it’s so common to scroll Instagram and see ladies with these giant beautiful pregnant bellies contorting their bodies into complex yoga poses or hoisting a loaded barbell over their heads. While it works for them, it might not necessarily work for you. For example, I had a solid headstand practice going into my pregnancies, but something about flipping upside down while I was pregnant felt off to me. I was so worried that I would fall and there are mixed opinions about inverting while you’re pregnant. On the other hand, one of my serious yogini friends was doing headstands and handstands her entire pregnancy. It worked for her; it didn’t work for me. It’s important to remember that you’re on your own journey and should absolutely focus on the exercises and activities that you know are safe and that work for your body.
2) Now isn’t the time to begin anything new. Fitness is all about maintaining during this time instead of pushing the limit. No one will see a new six-pack anyway. Stick with the things you know and are already a part of your routine and look forward to trying new classes and workout methods once you’re cleared to resume exercise postpartum. An exception to this rule is if you’re currently sedentary and want to begin a walking routine. I’d check with your doctor be be sure, but generally this is ok.
3) Avoid anything that creates a “cone” shape with your belly. When you’re completing exercises, especially planks, down dog, and anything that involves core pressure (even exercises like TRX rows), take a glance at your belly. If it creates a cone shape (you’ll know when it happens! the belly looks very pointy), this means that you’re creating extra pressure on the linea alba, which is the connective tissue in between your rectus abdominis. This connective tissue thins out as the belly expands and any excess pressure can exacerbate diastasis recti. (I have a full post on diastasis recti with DR-safe exercises here.)
4) Substitute any core exercises that involve leg lowers and lifts, or flexion of the spine (like sit-ups and crunches). These can also cause intra-abdominal pressure and also downward pressure on the pelvic floor. I made an entire free PDF with my favorite prenatal and postpartum tips and exercises. If you enter your email here, I’ll send it to you!
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5) Make room for your belly. Little tweaks will make it easier to make room for your belly and the baby. An example of this is standing or sitting with a wider stance in forward fold, squatting with a wider stance, or separating your feet when they’d normally be together (like in barre classes with the thighs together, it may feel better to step your feet under your hips instead).
6) Watch the impact, or at least provide some extra support through a belly belt. For some mamas, impact exercises still feel good, like dancing, kickboxing, plyometrics, running, etc. Others feel instantly uncomfortable — you’ll know when it’s a good time to take it down a notch of substitute. You can also do low-impact modifications for the days when more intense plyometrics become too much (like using a wall for push-ups, walking your feet back for burpees, and doing regular squats instead of squat jumps). For me, Zumba was my jam until I was like 36 weeks pregnant with Liv! I just wore a belly brace. When I was pregnant with P, I craved more low-impact exercise, like weight training, spin, barre, and yoga.
(The human body is amazing.)
7) Watch out for anything that requires extreme balance or risks the chance you could fall. When we’re pregnant, our bodies’ center of gravity has shifted, which can make it more challenging to maintain balance. If you’re doing anything that requires balance, have a wall or chair close by if you need it for extra support. Avoid anything that poses a fall risk or could cause a blow to the stomach.
8) Look out for that pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is working incredibly hard during pregnancy; give it a little TLC by avoiding exercises that cause downward pressure (#4 above). Now is the perfect time to focus on strengthening and RELAXING the pelvic floor <— this is a huge one because many women believe their pelvic floor is too weak but in reality it’s too tight, the muscles are shortened and unable to fully contract. You lose strength when a muscle is too tight. All of my favorite exercises for this are in this post! You can also check out Hab It (they have a digital download) and this video from my friend Jess!
9) Focus on the exercises that leave you feeling energized instead of depleting you. This is a great time to choose restorative and fun exercises that make you feel GOOD. I craved totally different types of exercise with my pregnancies and used it as an opportunity to truly listen to my body. Your body is doing a lot behind the scenes to you know, make a human life, so go for the types of fitness activities that leave you feeling energized.
10) Sleep > fitness, always. If you remember anything from this post, this is #1 (and it’s also true in the non-pregnant days). If you’re totally zonked and worn down, chances are that you won’t get a solid workout in anyway. Take the time to rest, recover, and come back stronger. Extreme fatigue can be a sign from the body that we’re doing too much, so take the time to catch a nap, go to bed early, or enjoy a restorative stretch. Sleep impacts so many facets of our health, like our hormones, immune system function, and hunger levels, that it’s important to prioritize this significant piece of the healthy living pie.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Please let me know if you have any prenatal fitness tips to share with fellow readers/commenters, or any funny pregnancy stories. I have many, but I’ll never forget when I went to pay for our groceries and had to hand them an empty giant bag of salt and vinegar chips. I was craving them SO badly and had to eat them while I was shopping hahaha.
The coronavirus pandemic has indefinitely altered what many once knew as the workplace. And aside from essential workers thankfully caring for the ill, keeping supply chains in motion, and maintaining public services, a whole lot of employees (still fortunate to be working) have been delegated to a brave new work status: remote.
Bringing office culture home has it benefits. Online Zoom meetings allow you to introduce your cats to your co-workers, or sport the mullet equivalent of workplace attire (business up top within camera view; pajama pants below). When employers aren’t monitoring productivity, the homebound activities resume: baking another experimental bread, streaming epic films, taking on new fitness regimens, or deciding not to get out of bed at all.
Remote work also has its pitfalls. Like isolation. Take comfort that it could be worse. You could be stuck on a remote island for six months. Or waking before dawn in driving wind and rain to hike up to a lookout to record the non-existent visibility. Perhaps your work life could be locked deep in Antarctica for a year, getting probed by medical researchers to observe your reaction to oxygen-deprived tasks at -58 degrees, looking ahead to four more months of darkness. On the other hand, if any of that sounds exciting, your career search may have just gotten easier. Here are five jobs in the most extreme environments on the earth. They can provide some therapeutic perspective on what it really means to “work remote.”
Embarking on a rafting journey through the Grand Canyon began by dialing a phone number that I received in an Instagram DM from a stranger. The message read, “Hey, I know this is out of left field, especially since we’ve never met and you have no idea who I am—and a little bit of short notice—but I’ve got an open spot on my boat to float through the Grand Canyon in three weeks.” I was intrigued to say the least, and a few days after asking friends about the messenger and the potential adventure, I decided it was worth making the call to investigate the opportunity further.
An hour into our conversation, having asked a multitude of questions and liking the answers and vibes I received, I “spontaneously” accepted the unique chance-invitation to join this private-guided rafting trip for nine nights. I didn’t know it yet, but I had made a great decision.
Image courtesy of westernriver.com
A few weeks later, I joined a group of 15 people (already nine days into their journey) dispersed among eight rafts with 10 days worth of supplies. Beginning at Phantom Ranch, the latter half of the journey with my seasoned, river-going friends allowed nine days to travel the remaining 192 miles through the Granite gorges and 70 rapids.
What rapids lay ahead, what adventures, lifestyle, community and living conditions I was in for—I didn’t have any knowledge. I felt a little like John Wesley Powell, the first to explore this region in 1869 and put it on the map, embarking on this foreign expedition. In a journal that was later published as the popular book “The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons,” Powell wrote, “What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls rise over the river, we know not… With some eagerness and some anxiety and some misgiving we enter the canyon below and are carried away by the swift water through walls which rise from its very edge.”
The Grand Canyon flows in an abundance of history, geology and adventure. Archaeologists believe that Native Americans inhabited the rim and canyon year-round beginning approximately 4,000 years ago. The first groups of people passing through the canyon and surrounding areas while hunting game and migrating during seasonal changes dates back to 10,000 years ago. The Havasupai tribe has been living in and around the Grand Canyon South Rim for the past 800 years, according to anthropologists. Today, the Havasupai and Hualapai Reservations are located on the South Rim of the Canyon. The Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservations are east of the Canyon.
Floating through the morphing walls and observing the different types of rocks present summoned fascination. The Grand Canyon is a world-renowned showplace of geology. There are nearly 40 major sedimentary rock layers exposed in the Grand Canyon, ranging in age from roughly 200-million to almost 2-billion years old. Fortunately, I shared a raft with a geology enthusiast, who bestowed me with knowledge and terminology. I chose Vishnu Schist as my favorite rock because it is one of the most ancient rock formations, at an unfathomable estimated 1.75 billion years old. It’s jet black and stunningly gorgeous. I kept thinking, “This Vishnu has seen so much.”
Within 30 minutes of joining the adventure at Phantom Ranch, the group let me know that I was in for a treat. We would be stopping to scout the first major rapid of the trip. They gave me a quick and thorough safety briefing.
Several times a day, we pulled the boats into an eddy up-river from major rapids and tied the bow line to trees on shore. We walked trails to lookout points to scout our lines for the rapids.
Everyone in the group goes to scout. It’s fascinating how they read the hydraulics of the water.
The first rapid I’d raft through, shortly after joining the trip. It was more daunting then it appeared from the lookout.
After safely passing through several class 3-7 rapids and conquering adequate river mileage, we stopped at a designated camp spot that served as home for the night. The stretch of the Colorado River that snakes through the Grand Canyon often uses a different rating system for rapids. The class 1-10 system that is used in the Grand Canyon roughly parallels Classes I-V on the International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD). These categories, or “classes,” give rafters an idea of the skill level (novice to expert) needed to navigate a specific waterway.
Each afternoon, we found a new site to spend the evening. Campsites dot the river banks of the Colorado most of the 277 miles of the canyon—however, not all are easily spotted or vacant.
The sun eventually ducks below the canyon wall ushering the shade. After a long day in the sun, big smiles and easy energy sweep across the group. Cards, mancala, chess and clever word games keep the group entertained once the boats are unloaded and the kitchen, garbage and groover (bathroom) are established. Work first, play second—and there is always plenty of time for both.
Photo: Roland Mott
Others use this opportunity for alone time—to read a book, write or take to the frigid, yet beckoning waters of the Colorado to rinse away sand and sweat in an epic bath. The body quickly adapts to the cutting chill of the waters and eventually returns to them again and again, without notice of the cold but only to the relief they provide from sweltering temperatures.
Every evening after river baths, we congregated in camping chairs to share a meal cooked by a team of raft-mates. Lizards watched from nearby rocks as stories, banter and laughter filled the space, and we gratefully chewed the prepared meal.
We cleaned our dishes in a line of four buckets of river water, two of which we heated over a flame and added either soap or bleach to sanitize. Then people pitched in to put away food, clean up the kitchen and strain the water from the buckets so the food particles would go into the garbage instead of the river. We all worked together every morning, afternoon and evening to ensure a tidy camp—employing the “Leave No Trace” methodology.
No single-use plastic for nine days. See, we can exist without it!
After long, fulfilling days, with energy reserves depleted, an early bedtime and the slightly cooler temperatures of dusk were welcomed. Some camped on cots on the beach, others slept on the rafts. Sleeping elevated from the ground is the best choice, so creepy crawlers (like scorpions, spiders and snakes) don’t get you while you rest. Nothing but the sounds of the water, wind and desert creatures remained once we retired.
In the summer, mornings come early. The sun rose around 5 a.m.—and the wake up call “COFFEE!” resounded around the camp at 5:30 a.m., followed by large steaming carafes to fill our early-bird mugs.
We were quick to make and eat a group breakfast, use the groover, practice personal hygiene, pack up the kitchen, secure belongings on our rafts, pump the rafts and make a clean sweep over camp.
The groover, always situated in a private and extremely scenic location.
To protect the pristine environment and reduce our impact, we all use the groover. It is said the name “Groover” came from the days prior to placing a plastic toilet seat on the Rocket Box. People would sit on the metal, rectangular-shaped Rocket Box and therefore when they finished their business, would be left with imprinted grooves on their back side.
The paddle system notified others if the groover was occupied. Paddle up meant the groover was vacant.
We typically headed out as a group around 7 a.m. every morning to begin making miles down the Colorado. Some days we made more miles than others. Shorter mileage days allowed time for epic side-hiking adventures to a variety of spectacular waterfalls, oases and slot canyons.
A three-mile hike to a waterfall began early, as we attempted to beat the heat before reaching a little oasis in the sky. We ascended thousands of feet on rocky switchbacks and very exposed cliffside trails. The heat came quickly and radiated from the rock walls, baking us like a convection oven.
We consumed all of our water with the knowledge that we could soon refill our bottles onsite at the waterfall.
The spring served “all you can drink,” cold-as-ice water. Oh, and mint plants grew wild here. We infused our water bottles with the herb; it was paradise.
I was surprised not only at the amount of side-hiking and physical activity we got daily, but by how many springs, waterfalls and swimming holes are located on either side of the river. The short hike to this waterfall and pool led to chicken fighting and ultimate relaxation.
Havasu Falls is a sought-after destination. We planned to arrive extra early so we could have it all to ourselves.
From the river there is a trail to the falls, a route wading through turquoise waters of the slot canyon. From the rim, there is a ten-mile hike to reach the falls. The water at Havasu is turquoise because of calcium carbonate, a mineral found in the rocks.
We laughed with joy (and at our friend who had a hard time swimming through a deep part of the slot with a heavy current).
Entrance to Havasu Falls from the Colorado River.
I’d never felt a relentless, dry heat like at the Grand Canyon. The winds blowing through the canyon felt like a hair dryer, forcefully expelling hot, dry air. The towering rock radiated scorching temperatures as the sun baked everything it touched.
The shaded midday slot canyons and icy waters of their falls offered refuge and pure delight.
Long, calm stretches of water made for a few slow, low-mile days on the river.
Cliff jumping.
The Grand exposed me to various plants and insects I knew nothing about, but I quickly learned to be wary of their dangers.
One of those is the tarantula hawk, a wasp that supposedly has the most painful sting of any wasp in the world. It attacks tarantulas, paralyzing them with a sting before dragging them into a den. Here it lays an egg that hatches into a larva and devours the paralyzed spider alive—over the course of several weeks.
My first hike, I ran my hand through a beautiful, lush green plant as I walked by. I stopped in my tracks as the plant dug multiple thorns into various points in my hand. Ouch!
Rule of thumb: Don’t touch any of the plants out here—most aren’t friendly and will poke and snag skin.
The canyon walls rise so high that the sun would disappear around 4 or 5 p.m. some days. However, the light remained until 10 p.m., creating interesting hues and lighting.
The rising and setting of the moon over the canyon was more dramatic from our perspective. The moonlight played on the walls, bouncing off surfaces and constantly casting shape-shifting shadows as the moon changed position in the sky.
All in all, beers, laughs, games, shenanigans, introspection and solid bonding went down in the sprawling, wild landscape of the Grand Canyon.
We overcame Lava Falls together, the biggest rapid in the Grand (class 10), and one of the most revered whitewater runs in the United States. Fortunately, a wooden oar that snapped in half on that run was our only loss.
Exactly 192 miles after meeting the group at their half-way point, we parted ways where the Colorado River converges into Lake Mead. At the take-out point, we de-rigged, said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways—all of us happier, more fulfilled and changed for the better.
An early spring and already-scorching temps out West means one thing: river season is officially upon us. And just in time, considering we’re all seriously itching to let loose after two-plus months of lockdown. Whether you’re rafting, kayaking, SUPing, or even just fishing, an easy afternoon on the water socially distanced from your nearest and dearest is cause for celebration. Besides your boat and cooler, you should invest in lightweight shirts.
Sure, there are a lot of tops that can keep the sun off your skin while you paddle or fish. But we suggest breathable, quick-dry, wildly patterned shirts to stay cool and dry. They’ll bring a smile to passersby’s faces and reflect the pure stoke that fills your heart as you’re carried by the current on a sunny afternoon.
Admit it: Plaid just doesn’t have that power.
So go on, ditch your basic sunshirt and flex a little river steeze. Here are seven options to get you started.
7 Lightweight Shirts to Keep You Cool and Dry on the Water
1. Helms x Howler H Bar B Snapshirt (above)
Austin-based Howler Brothers are perfectly cross-breeding the classic Western snapshirt with quality riverwear. This pearl-snap button-up has a classy, masculine fit but is made from a quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant cotton blend. We love their thoughtful details, like the lazy day illustrations and microfiber at the hem for an easy sunglass clean.
Although the pandemic has put nearly everything (including racing in Europe) on hold, the Trails Crew locked in Hellsend compound in Stellenbosch, South Africa have still been able to do what they love. Namely, throwing around dirt and wheeled vehicles.
Filmed and edited by Thomas Sandell
Additional filming: Justin Novella, Duran Van Eeden, Ryan Franklin, Theo Erlangsen.
Logo designed by: Justin Novella
Title Animation: Duran Van Eeden
This article originally appeared on Bikemag.com and was republished with permission.
Wild Turkey is once again reaching into the archives to create something new with this year’s 17-year-old, bottled-in-bond release of Master’s Keep. This is not the first time Wild Turkey has hit the archives for inspiration. Master’s Keep (which started in 2015) has been a showcase for innovation, with a hint of nostalgia. This year’s Master’s Keep “Bottled in Bond” is a new take on a bottle released in 2007: Wild Turkey American Spirit.
American Spirit was a 15-year-old Bottled-in-Bond bourbon, released at a time when a 15-year-old Bottled-in-Bond bourbon was only getting a fraction of the attention it deserved—before the bourbon boom changed the bourbon world entirely.
Master’s Keep has been the host for pet projects from master distiller Eddie Russell—for instance, the sherry-finished Master’s Keep Revival, which was formulated in honor of a now-discontinued sherry bourbon his father Jimmy Russell oversaw the release of.
Other entries in the Master’s Keep series have included Decades (a blend of whiskeys from 10-20 years of age) and Cornerstone Rye, which is the line’s only rye release to date.
This year’s bottling is special for both its age and its labeling. The term “Bottled in Bond” (colloquially, BIB for short) is a labeling designation with a lot of requirements—sort of like “champagne,” or “extra-virgin.” Any bottle displaying the BIB designation must be composed entirely of liquid distilled in one “distillation season” (there are two distillation seasons, January–June and July–December). That means everything in the bottle went into a barrel within six months. The liquid in that bottle must also be a minimum of four years old, and have aged entirely in a federally bonded warehouse.
Courtesy image
Samples of the new batch haven’t been shared with the public yet, but official tasting notes from Wild Turkey say the bourbon has “an enticing taste and aroma of toasted oak, apple and dark cherry highlighted by the sweet confectionary flavors of vanilla, brown sugar and toffee. The enjoyable, lingering finish is complete with dark notes of mocha, smoke and spice.”
Master’s Keep Bottled in Bond will include only about 14,400 bottles of total production, and should retail for around $175 when it goes on sale in June. Track it (and the other bottles in the Master’s Keep line) down here.
2 In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients (oats, chia seeds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt).
3 Add the wet ingredients (mashed banana, maple syrup, plant milk, coconut oil, and vanilla).
4 Transfer to a muffin pan and (optional) decorate with banana slices.
5 Bake in 350°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
SUPER SIMPLE VEGAN OAT CHIA BREAKFAST MUFFIN
Love baking but find you’re short on time? Check out our ultra-tasty vegan oat chia banana muffin recipe. With only 15 minutes of active prep and 30 minutes of baking, you can relish the flavors of healthy homemade gluten-free baked goods without disrupting your schedule.
Hearty ingredients like oats and banana help make these delicious muffins super satiating while chia seeds offer a boost of iron, omegas, and fiber. Healthy fats are represented by coconut oil and plant-based milk. A dash of cinnamon offers anti-inflammatory properties for a deceptively nutritious treat. Add a little maple syrup, and you’ve got a subtle hit of sweetness that will satisfy your sugar cravings without going overboard.
Made from vegan and gluten-free ingredients, these muffins are light and packed with flavor with the perfect amount of crumb. Each muffin boasts 4 grams of protein and can be toasted and smeared with a little nut butter if you’re looking for a little extra protein in your breakfast.
While we love them as part of a healthy, well-balanced breakfast, these vegan oat chia banana muffins are fantastic as a midday snack to help keep the afternoon slump at bay or a lightly sweet treat. Pack these in your kids’ lunchboxes as a healthier alternative to store-bought baked goods.
This quick baking project is something you can do as part of your weekend meal prep. They’re so simple to make, you can even whip up a batch when you’re enjoying a mellow night at home. You can customize them to suit your tastes – add in dried fruit or nuts or a little extra spice to kick up the flavor to the next level.
Does social distancing have you worried about your summer plans? For many, summertime is the time many plan their family vacations. The kids are out of school, the weather is fantastic, and the days are longer—allowing optimal time to venture to new places, catch some sun and spend more time with our friends and families.
While many have already been spending a lot more time with their families than they ever imagined during the coronavirus outbreak, whether you love it or have grown tired of it, you’ve likely run into problems of keeping your family entertained. Between, possibly working from home, managing your kid’s schoolwork, and maintaining a functioning household, this time probably hasn’t felt much like a vacation.
With social distancing guidelines likely to remain in effect in many cities during the summer, activities and entertainment options, lodging, dining will be extremely limited. The truth is, you really don’t have to totally give up on enjoying the summer at home with your family. Here are some tips to make your local staycation feel exciting for the whole family.
Fit Focused Days.
Plan local hiking trips or long walks or bike rides close to home. Enjoy the local parks and embrace the architecture in the neighborhood. A quick Google search for interesting facts can help you to plan what you want to go and see. Being a tourist in your own city will help you have a greater appreciation for your hometown. If you have kids, try setting up a challenge for them to identify certain plants, landmarks, or wildlife when you’re out walking. It will make the walks more engaging. Having prizes ready for them helps with the motivation, too. Additionally, backyard games are a blast—sprinklers, hula-hoops, and jump rope are things kids love.
Embrace the farmer’s markets.
Heading out for a trip to the local farmers market is such a treat, and also a great way to shop locally. At this point, many of them have adopted social distancing guidelines, which means it’s also a safe bet for a family outing. The market usually has beautiful fresh, and seasonal options to explore, maybe there are some fascinating new fruits and vegetables you can’t find at your usual grocery store. Also, getting the kids involved in selecting ingredients for your meals may help spark their interest in healthier eating (an added bonus!). Breaking your usual grocery shopping routine by browsing the stalls in beautiful weather will help spark that holiday vibe.
Create your own at-home retreats.
With a little planning, you can make your own backyard or home feel like a perfect vacation spot. All you need to do is set a theme. For a spa weekend, buy or make your favorite products, and set up a time to relax and treat yourself. Turn off or put away all of your tech distractions, set up space outside, or in a quiet room for a peaceful setting. You can even make spa water but cutting up some cucumber or fruit to add some flavoring to your water. Want to create your own yoga retreat? Turn to your favorite online trainer, set up your mat in a designated space, light some candles or incense, and be sure to practice daily, with relaxing music. It’s all about being creative.
Travel with your cooking.
With travel on the back burner, consider themed cooking nights to help transport your taste buds to any destination. It can be really fun to make drinks, shakes, and meals with ingredients from places that are on your future travel list. Enjoy a nice Italian wine with your pasta one night, try cooking a beautiful curry meal or ordering take-out from a restaurant you’ve never tried before. Take it a step further and print out some fun-facts online or rent a movie about the particular culture you’ll be indulging that night—the possibilities are endless and it’s a great opportunity to learn about other cultures through food.
Finally, take the time to plan out your staycation in the same way you would with a vacation. Having an itinerary of what you want to do helps to prevent the lazy, do-nothing blues from taking over. A vacation is about rest, relaxation, discovery and recreation– all of those things can be accomplished right where you are. Studies have shown a positive correlation between associates taking vacation time and overall better wellbeing, so no matter what’s on your itinerary, make sure to thoroughly enjoy yourself!
About Samantha Clayton
Samantha Clayton is the vice president of Sports Performance and Fitness Education at Herbalife Nutrition. She has direct responsibility for all activities relating to exercise and fitness education for Herbalife Nutrition independent distributors and employees and leads a team that designs nutrition protocols for elite athletes.
Clayton is a certified personal trainer with specialty certifications in group fitness, youth fitness programming, senior fitness, and athletic conditioning. Through group training sessions, fitness educational tools, and the Herbalife Nutrition-sponsored blogs I Am Herbalife Nutrition, Clayton ensures that consumers understand the vital role exercise plays in living a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Stick with the things you know and are already a part of your routine and look forward to trying new classes and workout methods once you’re cleared to resume exercise postpartum. An exception to this rule is if you’re currently sedentary and want to begin a walking routine. I’d check with your doctor be be sure, but generally this is ok.
