Happy Monday!
I hope you all had fun weekends. I may have “overdone” it a little on Saturday night. I actually slept in until noon yesterday… I’ve never slept past 10 AM in my entire life. Ironically, I headed straight to CVS for some water, aspirin and a power bar. *Cueing the most interesting man in the world* I don’t drink very often, but when I do…CVS is always there for me (literally on every corner) This post was supposed to be all about my healthy lifestyle, but I think every healthy lifestyle needs a little moderation and that’s exactly what I practiced over the weekend. Now that it’s out of my system and I’ve admitted to my imperfect healthy habits, I want to share how I’ve been taking CVS everywhere with me this summer!
CVS has provided me with snacks for the beach, healthy snacks for the movies, post/pre workout snacks with protein, toys and treats for my pup, vitamins and Aspirin for overdone weekends, sunscreen for the hot southern sun, high energy snacks/drinks for road trips, and quick ingredients for baking. Name it and CVS most likely has it. Did you know the pharmacy is now at Target?!
I love to travel! D.C. is one of my favorite places to go and I manage to visit every couple of months. I already have a trip planned for the end of this month. I’m so lucky that my brother lives there because it’s so fun to explore the city. I can’t get enough! The best part about exploring D.C is that we get to walk, bike and metro everywhere. I don’t have to worry about driving, parking or getting stuck in the D.C. traffic. The last time I visited D.C., my friends and I walked over 25 miles in one weekend!
Snacking and refueling the body is important with all the workouts and walking. There was a CVS one block from my brother’s and I always take advantage of their healthy selection. They have yogurt, salads, fruit, juices, wraps, vegetables and so much more. The convienence of their fresh food makes living a healthy lifestyle so much easier. I love that I can grab fresh fruit instead of sugary candy bars.
The Gold Emblem Abound brand is the best. Their snacks taste great and the prices are inexpensive. If you like those Almond Joy candy bars, you should try the Gold Emblem Abound Almond & Coconut Nut bar! It’s SO SO SO delish. I like putting these in my bag when I’m out and about because they don’t melt or crumble in the bottom of my purse.
The Gold Emblem Abound brand carries more than 100 products that are free of artificial preservatives and flavors. The snacks are great for quick breakfasts. My mom always forgets to eat breakfast before work, so I convinced her to keep these granola bars in her desk at work. She always texts me with a photo of her granola and coffee. It’s become a morning ritual. The oats & honey crunchy granola bars are an exact replica of the Nature Valley brand (only cheaper.)
Speaking of oats..the Gold Emblem single serving brown sugar oatmeal is my favorite. It’s PERFECT for a pre run fuel.
Gold Emblem Abound is a popular CVS Pharmacy line of more than 250 delicious snacks, beverages, and groceries! They have nuts, trail mixes, chips, pretzels, dried fruits, candies, cookies, spices, juices, condiments, baking essentials and breakfast bars.
Before heading out on a day trip to Asheville, my friend and I stopped at CVS to grab some snacks. We bought unsalted mixed nuts, bananas, Fuji apple & blubbery clusters and a dark chocolate peanut butter snack bar. That snack bar saved me from my hangry-ness after the concert!Taking care of your skin is also a big part of living a healthy lifestyle. The sun is so hot and it’s important to protect it. I LOVE laying out by the pool, so I make sure to sunscreen every 30 minutes whenever I’m there. I also make sure to sunscreen before I go out on my runs. I’ve been loving the CVS breakout free face lotion. It has no scent to it and I’ve been applying it after every shower.
I LOVE the 30 sport sunscreen clear spray because it’s easier to apply it when you’re by yourself. You don’t have to awkwardly ask anyone to rub sunscreen on your back. This stays on really well and it’s what I use before outdoor workouts, walks and pool days.
I love anything crunchy and fruity for pool snacks. I have been obsessing over these Gold Emblem Abound Banana Crisps. They are only 60 calories for half a cup and banana is the only ingredient! They are so crispy and taste like chips! I may or may not have about ten bags of these in my cabinet right now…
I LOVE♥ coconut water after a day at the pool, after/before a workout, or for quick hydration. CVS has cold coconut water available in their refrigerators. They also have the pineapple flavored coconut water.
Protein shakes after my runs have been my go-to! Your muscles need carbs and protein to recovery after a long workout. I also love how cold and refreshing the protein shakes are. Here is one of the protein shakes I have been hooked on…
Chia-colada protein shake! ???
*1 small banana *1 frozen pineapple core *10 ounces unsweetened vanilla almond milk *1 scoop CVS vanilla protein powder *2 tablespoons chia seeds *1 cup ice *1 packet stevia! You can even add a little coconut water!
If you go to CVS often, make sure you join their FREE retail loyalty program. The CVS ExtraCare Rewards program not only helps you save money, but it personalizes offers to customers based on their shopping history! How cool is that? You just scan or swipe your ExtraCare card and gain the benefits. I keep mine on my keychain! Make sure to take advantage of the CVS Pharmacy app as well! It’s totally FREE and allows you to tap into app-only deals, easy refills, same-day photos and so much more!
I’m not going to lie, I’m a sucker for candy and gummy bears. I treated myself to some sugar free gummy bears at the movies. Only 90 calories a serving! They were also buy one get one 50% off and I definitely took advantage of that. I packed my movie theater bag with popcorn, gummy bears, and sparkling water.
Not only does CVS carry their awesome line of products, they care some of my favorites! They have popular brands like Annie’s Sabra, Stacey’s, Naked and more!
My friend and I took a road trip to the beach for a fun day in the sun.
We stopped at CVS to grab beach and road trip snacks before we left. Becca picked up these naturally flavored Wasabi soy almonds and they were out of this world! I had to tell her to get them away from me because I could have eaten the entire container! I sent a photo of them to my brother and he ran out to buy them. Now he is hooked too! Wasabi errrrrday.
We also packed a cooler with water! Staying hydrated is so important.
Last weekend, Kyle and I went on a hike. I packed my backpack with CVS snack bars, protein bars, water and other snacks from CVS! It was 100 degrees!!
I was surprised at how inexpensive their pistachios were! They were the perfect hiking snack and flavored with sea salt. We also made sure to lather up with sunscreen.
This month has been about fitness! The July Fitness Challenge has been so much fun 🙂 With all the workouts, it’s important to fuel up properly! Ive been making a protein chocolate peanut butter one that I think you all will love!
Banana + almond milk + 1/2 packet chocolate protein powder + stevia + ice + 1 Tbsp Gold Emblem Abound Peanut Butter!
Their protein powder packets are so convenient! We took a ton of these on our Savannah trip. You can find them by the protein bars at CVS.
I also packed the CVS energy snack bars on our Savannah trip! No one likes a hangry traveler. While we were in Savannah, one of our tour guides told us that the CVS building downtown is one of the most haunted…that didn’t keep us from going inside.
I like to mix the protein packets with water on long bike rides.
I’ve been mixing energy blend trail mix with popcorn for a late night snack! This is also a great combo for road trips.
The CVS Health brand line has so many high-quality and trust worthy products. They have allergy medicine, first aid essentials, fitness recovery products, and of course recovery products for the “overdone” weekends.
Just incase you missed this recipe, check out my healthy & homemade protein packed peanut butter cups with the CVS products! 🙂
I’ve been loving my partnership with CVS and I cannot wait to share more products and share ways I use CVS for an easy and convenient healthy lifestyle!
*Now if CVS could put a coffee shop in their stores…I’d be in heaven!*
Questions for you!
- What do you use CVS for the most?
- Have you tried the Gold Emblem Abound brand?
- How are you staying healthy this summer?
’m proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy to help spread the word about how to #FindYourHealthy. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.
Kyla Woelfle says
I haven’t been to CVS in years, I go to Walgreens for my prescriptions. Now I definitely HAVE to go check out CVS! I think Walgreens can be a little expensive, so I would love to try out some of the CVS brands. I love that they have healthy food! There is a CVS right down the road, so it would be super convenient to check them out.
I can’t wait to try out the Gold Emblem Abound brand – especially if it tastes like the “real thing” but cheaper!
I’m trying my best to be healthy this summer, but it’s been difficult while being sick. I’ve been eating as healthy as possible, but I really miss being able to work out! Now I can go check out CVS and find more healthy snacks and vitamins at least!
Taralynn McNitt says
You will DEFINITELY want to go to CVS! The brands are so great and very very inexpensive! Let me know what you think when you check them out!!!
It really does taste like the brands we love…if not better.
Sometimes we have to just listen to our bodies and do everything we can to heal, even if that means giving up working out. I love that you’re still eating healthy and focussing on getting better!!
xo
Vanessa says
I can’t tell much about CVS since I’ve never been to the US, so I’ll skip on these questions 😉
How are you staying healthy this summer?
Over the summer I’ll be waitressing full time, which makes for a great workout. I get to move a lot and have little time to eat and also to eat bad food. However when I was working last summer, I ate a lot in the evening because I thought I deserved it. This year I’ll bring healthy snacks to work (bananas and granola bars for example) so I stay energized during long shifts. Also I am trying to follow your 30 day challenge – with some alterations since I don’t have that much time but I am on it and actually did some sort of workout (including waitressing) every day this month 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Waitressing is such a great workout for sure! Great that you’re making healthy choices and bringing your own food/snacks! I used to do the same when I was waitressing. I’d always order something off the menu and eat it when I got home! It as late and I just wanted something fast. Bringing in your own food and staying fueled while working is so important! Hope you’re loving the challenge!! xo
Amanda Turner says
Protein peanut butter cups?! Yum!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
I think you’ll LOVE them!!! xo xo
Brooklyn says
I don’t think CVS is in Canada, but you can get everything there. So convenient!I love that about pharmacies!
Seeing your bag of chia seeds reminds me I have a huge one that my family sent me, but other than throwing them in smoothies or making pudding, what else do you use them for?
Also, you’re looking like a total babe like always <3
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hey B!
CVS really is the best. Maybe they’ll start opening stores in Canada 😀
I LOVE using chia seeds in my coffee in the morning, almond milk (makes a pudding) pancakes, eggs, and cereal!
& thank so much girl!!!! xo
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
I love CVS! Ive been really impressed with how many gluten free and healthy options they have recently! I am always there!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’m always there too! Love that they traded in the tobacco products for healthy ones. It’s so great!
Autumn says
I normally go to Walgreens but I had no idea CVS had all these healthy things! I’m definitely going to have to get some of those individual protein packs! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
CVS has SO MANY healthy products! It’s so fun to go through them all.
Linda @ The Fitty says
1. I’ve never heard of CVS and I think it’s just available in the states.
3. I’m making sure I stick to my workout plan that ends on July snd then perhaps taking some dance lessons in August!
Taralynn McNitt says
Would be great if they were all over the world! 🙂
Dance classes sound fun!
Jennifer says
I honestly rarely ever go to CVS unless I see you post new products and I want to try them! haha I’m still in love with those balboa bites.. they’re so different but so good!
I actually visited with a personal trainer for the first time ever this past weekend, and he’s helping me set up a plan! Let’s just say one fitness class and I can hardly sit down today haha He also suggested more protein so I want to make those peanut butter cups this weekend! They’ll be perfect for those after lunch or dinner time when I want something sweet/chocolatey!
Taralynn McNitt says
Ahhh CVS is the best 🙂 It seriously is!
Nice job on hiring a trainer! They’ll kick your butt for sure!!! Let me know what you think of the protein cups!! 🙂
xo xo
Carly says
I’m so glad you’ve partnered with CVS. It really sounds like a good fit, and I appreciate when bloggers truly believe in what they blog about for partnerships! Your Chia-colada protein shake looks AMAZING! I’m going to have to go to the store to get the ingredients so I can try it!
I love CVS’s healthy and budget friendly snacks! It used to be so difficult to find simple quick snacks on the go that are conducive to a healthy life style! I only wish there were more CVS’s near me… I tend to flip flop between them and Walgreens because they aren’t as abundant around me!
I have not tried the Gold Emblem Abound brand, but I plan to! Seeing all of the fun and different choices they offer makes me excited to seek them out and try them!
I’m staying healthy this summer with as many outdoor activities as possible! Hiking, biking, running, walking, kayaking! Also trying to make an extra effort to refuel with healthy fruits veggies and add more protein into my diet!
Taralynn McNitt says
It really is! I have been a fan of CVS before partnering up with them. Love everything they stand for. I also love that they make finding healthy food SO EASY. Make sure you try the Gold Emblem Abound brand. It’s a game changer!!
You really are staying healthy!!! Love your dedication.
Fat Freezing says
CVS! The brands are so great and very very inexpensive!I love CVS’s healthy and budget friendly snacks. Yum !!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Me too!!!