The Season for Vicks

Vick's

Vick’s DayQuil & NyQuil Severe

As the end of the year (i.e. holidays & cold season) approaches, I simply just don’t have time to be sick. You’re probably thinking – who actually has time to be sick?

But for me, as a freelance writer/entrepreneur, I absolutely have to end the year with a bang (the making money kind of bang). And that means I CAN’T GET SICK.

During these colder months, even here in Texas where the weather is unpredictable, I rely heavily on Vicks DayQuil Severe and Vicks NyQuil Severe to help keep me powering through the day and sleeping through the night. No matter how much I try to take care of myself with vitamins and other health regimes, I inevitably end up with some sort of cold or cold-like symptoms and it’s important to stop them from the start.

Pro-tip: I prefer caplets during the day (easier to carry in my bag) and the liquid formula at night as it coats my throat keeping me from coughing as much. 

Although the NyQuil Severe definitely helps me sleep, it’s the DayQuil Severe that really keeps me going with its non-drowsy pain relieving formula (the same one that gets rid of nasty decongestion, aches, fevers, sores, chest congestion and so much more). I have tried so many over-the-counter maximum strength medicines for cold and flu symptoms over the years, but this is the one I truly rely on. It helps keep me healthy and keeps me focused on writing without getting all loopy like some medicines.

Pro-tip: if I’m traveling for the holidays, I always bring it with me, especially overseas where it may not be available. 

A few other tips to stay healthy during the cold season (also known as end-of-year parties to many of us):

  • Drink more water than I think humanly possible. And then drink more.
  • Keep up my workout routine. My class schedules may change, but I still find at least 20-30 minutes for a 3-mile run or walk around the park with friends to get my heart rate up and Vitamin D!
  • Take Vitamin-C tablets along with my regular multi-vitamins.
  • Plan sensible meals – a lot of holiday parties only offer “light bites,” so I make it a point to plan out a night I know I have time to make grilled chicken and asparagus at home. It helps make up for those naughty nights where my diet consists of champagne and pigs in a blanket. Or Krispy Kreme, if I’m being honest.
  • Try to stick to a schedule. The holidays (long lunches, late night parties, writing Christmas cards, etc.) are always a busy time, but I do my best to remain on track as much as possible, including getting the same amount of sleep, setting alarms and stuff like that. Once my body feels off track even just a little, it leaves room for messy colds to creep in!

If you need to stock up on either the day or night-time Vicks products, use this code for a discount. And best of luck! In case you’re wondering, as an adult, this is the kind of stuff I now like in my stocking. Hint, Hint. 

The sportswriter in me most also note that if a Vicks product is good enough for Drew Brees, it’s certainly good enough for me!

This post is part of being selected as one of the top Women’s Health Action Heroes. 

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Eatfitters: Review

Eatfitters: THEY do the meal prep!

Eatfitters: THEY do the meal prep!

Let me be clear – eating healthy is not my thing. And I’m fairly confident it never will be. At least not fully. My life is super fast-paced and I am a fan of indulgence.

I recently tried out Eatfitters, a store (with a few locations)/program located here in Houston that prepares healthy meals for you to keep you on track.

I tried the Go3 plan, which included a consultation with a nutritionist (perfect to tell her I don’t like basil, what my day-to-day looks like, and my weaknesses – i.e. sweets), and meals (including snacks!) for three days. It’s the most my fridge has been stocked in months.

I was pleasantly surprised by most of the meals as I’m a pretty picky eater (my favorites are listed below).

What I loved most about having a 3-day plan with Eatfitters was that it saved time trying to figure out what you’re going to eat for lunch or dinner every night. It seems every night I battle with what to cook or where to eat. It also helped me avoid giving into those last minute temptations and cravings, like a juicy burger from Barnabys or white-sauce pizza. Knowing I had food that was already in my refrigerator ready-to-eat made it so much easier to stick to healthy eating.

Some of my favorite menu items included:

  • Strawberry Pancakes (it came with honey, but I cheated and added some sugar-free syrup)
  • Turkey Stroganoff
  • Salmon Piccata (my absolute favorite!)
  • Turkey Spinach Lasagna
  • Cheesecake Bars
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins (these were amazing, I’d eat them anytime!)

Pro-tip: they keep a cooler on the right with meals that are about to expire (they are still good, I promise!) and are 50% off. If you want to swing by and try a few things for lunch or dinner that day, it’s a great way to get a healthy meal at a great cost.

 

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2015: Houston Sports

Houston sports illustration - by German Arellano

Houston Sports Illustration – by German Arellano

The Best of Houston Sports in 2015

The city of Houston is blessed with an abundance of highs and lows of sports performances. Here’s a quick look at some of the best – and most notable – moments of HOUSTON SPORTS this year.

HEAD OF THE CLASS: Former ASTROS second baseman CRAIG BIGGIOmade history as the first Astro in franchise history inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On July 27, the legend joined Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez and John Smoltz, cementing their rightful place in Cooperstown, N.Y. Biggio played his entire 20-year career in Houston, during which he played for seven different managers.

TIME TO SHINE: HOUSTON TEXANS wide receiver DEANDRE HOPKINSbecame the first player in NFL history with at least nine catches and 145 receiving yards in three consecutive games (Weeks 4–6). Earlier this year, Hopkins passed former (and beloved) Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson for most receiving yards in a player’s first three seasons in franchise history.

A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: The HOUSTON ROCKETS epic comeback in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals is one of the top moments in NBA Playoff history, period. The Rockets (with James Harden on the bench) outscored the Clippers 40–15 in the final period, sending the series back to the Toyota Center for Game 7. Houston advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1996–97.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY (OR THE ACE): ASTROS ace and American League Cy Young Award winner, DALLAS KEUCHEL, took the mound on just three days rest, in the AL Wild Card Game against the Yankees. Keuchel led the Astros to a 3–0 win, sending them to the playoffs, marking the Astros’ 10th postseason appearance (3rd as a Wild Card participant) in franchise history. Keuchel went 2–0 with a 0.69 ERA (1ER/13IP) in his 2 postseason starts.

NEW PLAYING FIELDS: Due to not being up to the team’s “historical standards” (and complaints from players around the League), the Texans switched from natural grass to an artificial turf.

A DECADE IN THE BOOKS: In 2015, the DYNAMO celebrated their tenth season. They averaged 20,658 fans per game, the club’s secondbest mark since BBVA Compass Stadium opened in 2012.

BIG WINS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES: PEARLAND LITTLE LEAGUE WEST finished 3rd in the world at the Little League World Series (LLWS). The Little Leaguers even garnered national attention, LIVE, on SportsCenter.

TWO WORDS – CARLI LLOYD: April 10 – Lloyd makes her HOUSTON DASHdebut after a trade last season. July 5 – Lloyd has a game for the ages with the entire world watching, a hat trick in the first 16 minutes of the Women’s World Cup Final in Vancouver, securing the USWNT’s third World Cup with a 5–2 win over Japan. July 29 – Lloyd continues her amazing summer with the winning goal over FC Kansas City, marking her seventh consecutive game with a goal.

ALL BUT ONE: ROCKETS guard JAMES HARDEN played and started all but one of a possible 82 games for the Rockets last season averaging 27.4 points, 7.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Harden was also runner- up for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and named MVP by his peers in the inaugural NBPA Players’ Awards.

HOLY TOLEDO: Remembering MILO HAMILTON. After a storied and legendary career dating back to 1950, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Milo Hamilton died at the age of 88. Hamilton was a voice synonymous with the Houston Astros and during his career set an MLB record, broadcasting from 59 stadiums. Hamilton spent half his MLB career in Houston, and undoubtedly left a legacy with Houston fans.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES: The Houston Texans were the eighth team featured on HBO’s popular series Hard Knocks, which first debuted in 2001. From July 24–September 7, 115 NFL Films production staff members worked diligently to bring football fans rare and unseen training camp footage, sorting through more than 1,500 hours of film captured by 14 cameras.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: At 21 years and 20 days old in Game 4 of the ALDS, ASTRO CARLOS CORREA became the youngest player in American League history to post a multi-homer postseason game and the youngest to have a 4-hit game.

This article originally appeared in the print issue of Local Houston Magazine’s December 2015 issue. FREE issues can be found all throughout Houston. For the online/original version, click here. 

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Book Nerds: Gift Guide

Christmas Gift Guide for Book Nerds

Christmas Gift Guide for Book Nerds

The Blonde Side’s Gift Guide for Book Nerds (yes, I am one of them!)

I am a proud book nerd. I guess I should be as a writer. The past few months I have come across some amazing books – ones I’ve already read and highly recommend and ones I am dying to read.

(PS – I love shopping at local bookstores, but I’ve linked to Amazon if you’re in a rush or want to avoid stores.)

Here are a few I recommend for Christmas this year:

Copygirl by Anna Mitchael: For starters, I’m obsessed with Anna Mitchael. And she’s aware of my weird obsession and she’s OK with it (or so she says). She’s one of the best authors, she’s a Texas gal (originally from Louisiana though), and I want to be her. SHE was the entire reason behind me getting the nerve to write my own memoir. This book has been dubbed in the same category as #GIRLBOSS and the femme-fiction book is being touted as a Mad Men-meets-Devil Wears Prada tale with a girl power message – the main character works at a NY ad agency. It’s worth the read.

You are a Badass by Jen Sincero: How did I find this book you might ask? Well, Instagram of course. THIS was the book everyone was posting on airplanes, at the beach, strategically placed next to a Starbucks cup and pretty much everywhere. I read this on a plane ride to Mazatlan and instantly felt more self-assured – more than I had in quite some time. This book is in the self-help section, but it actually gives real-life advice that is refreshing and drops a few f-bombs in the process. (Told you, real-life stuff here.) Sincero provides advice and tips that I’e been using since I put the book back on my coveted little bookshelf. It’s a great gift for anyone looking to make some ass-kicking changes in their life.

Make it Happen by Lara Casey: I have not read this yet, but it’s next on my list. It is another self-help type of book, but the ladies I know who have recommended it are ones I fully trust. They don’t have time to waste on stupid reads, so I’m going all in. Stay tuned.

Scary Close by Donald Miller: Have you ever felt like you were putting on an act to

Scary Close by Donald Miller - an amazing read!

Scary Close by Donald Miller – an amazing read!

please everyone around you and in the process making yourself miserable? I’m sure you have at least once or twice – I know I have. This book is an inspiration about basically saying screw what everyone else thinks and be yourself. It’s scary, but it’s worth it. Life is too short to live it pleasing others.

You Deserve a Drink by Mamrie Hart: I heard about this book again via Instagram – via the Glitter Guide’s Book Club, so I trusted them and they did not let me down. Not one bit. Basically all you need to know is this: Mamrie Hart is a drinking star with a Youtube problem. She became famous on YouTube by telling ridiculous booze-related stories (man that takes balls!), not afraid to let it all hang out, and this book is a collection of those. It’s an easy read and hilarious.

See Me by Nicholas Sparks: A brief reminder for those who forget, yes, I am still a chick and chick-novels, especially ones by Nicholas Sparks are my favorites. His books make me escape life, even if just for 250 pages, but it’s a much-needed break sometimes. His latest novel is guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings and have you glued to each page.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert: Another one I haven’t read yet but is on my list. This book was named a Hot Fall Read by USA Today, Vanity Fair, Newsday, O Magazine, the Seattle Times, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Mashable, Pop Sugar, and the San Antonio Express-News. “A must read for anyone hoping to live a creative life… I dare you not to be inspired to be brave, to be free, and to be curious.” —PopSugar. I trust all those people, so should you. Who here doesn’t want to lead a creative life, I mean lets be real? 

T H I S

T H I S

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (or anything by Rubin): This is not a new book, but it’s been read and loved by many and should be on any book lovers shelf.

Anything by Elin Hilderbrand: I’ve read at least four of her books and I’m hooked. Hilderbrand is another one of those authors that just takes you out of your own weird and dramatic life for a while and takes you elsewhere. Every book I’ve read from her has had me captivated on every single page. Please don’t ever stop writing Elin, please. 

Ok, so what books do you love? I love hearing recommendations, so go.

Books and champagne: two areas I won’t stop spending money in. 

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Teton Sleeping Bag: Product Review

A look into our MASSIVE tent

A look into our MASSIVE tent

Camping not Champing

This year I spent Thanksgiving (and my birthday) camping with my boyfriend and his family. It’s a tradition they’ve done for more than 40 years. When most of my friends heard that I (the girl who loves room service, long hot showers, lush robes and furry slippers) was going camping, they were shocked.

When my boyfriend first asked me to go on his family camping trip, I completely misheard him.

What I thought he said: Do you want champagne?

What he actually said: Do you want to go camping?

See how easy that is to mix-up? Needless to say my answer was yes, and I was going to make the best of it (fast-forward to the end, we had a great time).

Luckily he had a pretty large tent (with room to stand up in, a table and even room for my dog and his crate). My job was to find a sleeping bag. The Texas weather in November can be fairly unpredictable, to put it mildly. I chose a Teton sleeping bag, which is a reputable brand and meant for all seasons.

Since the woods and all things wilderness aren’t really my thing, I loved the comfort and idea of sharing a sleeping bag with my significant other. I didn’t even know two-person sleeping bags existed, but they are genius. I figured, if there’s something crawling in my sleeping bag, then he’s in the same boat. We were in this together.

Other than the cuddle aspect, my favorite thing about the Mammoth sleeping bag was the “mummy style hood,” another thing I wasn’t aware existed. In my past camping experiences, although limited, I remembered always having to lay my pillow on the actual ground since the sleeping bag was the same length on the top and the bottom, but this extended fabric (the “mummy hood”) allowed my pillow to remain in the sleeping bag with me.

Our first two nights camping was H O T. We ended up laying on top of the sleeping bag with a small blanket, taking full advantage of the thick taffeta lining (in non-camper terms: the feel-good slick fabric that keeps you cool). The last night was rainy and cold, so we were able to slide into the sleeping bag, keeping warm thanks to the flannel lining. The drawstring hood and warm flannel lining helped us retain body heat.

Not that we need to add anyone else into our sleeping bag, but it’s pretty neat that the bag

Teton Mammoth Sleeping Bag: Product Review: LOVED IT

Teton Mammoth Sleeping Bag: Product Review: LOVED IT

connects to additional bags for additional sleeping space (love those nifty zippers), plus the zippers help to ventilate the bag in a number of ways in case one person gets hot or cold.

My only negative about the sleeping bag was that it was impossible to roll back up and put in its original bag, which would help store it nicely and not so bulky. Perhaps I’m just not skilled enough, but other than that, this made our holiday in the wilderness much more enjoyable! [Apparently there is a video that shows you how.]

Features:

  • Double layer construction entire width and length of bag increases warmth and durability
  • Suitable for multi-season use in rugged conditions
  • Rated for cold temperatures
  • Sturdy taffeta shell stands up to years of use
  • Sturdy no-snag two-way zippers with metal pulls
  • Full-length zipper baffle reduces drafts
  • Mammoth bags zippered bags zip together
  • Mummy style hood keeps head or pillow off the ground

A few other things I learned in my now-pro camper status:

  • No matter what the weather says, be prepared for it all, even on a short trip. In our 3.5 days, temperatures reached as high as 76, got as low as 39 and it rained.
  • Bring lots of champagne! Or whatever your beverage of choice is. And definitely bring plenty of water.
  • If you’re in a tent, a rug to keep on the ground is key. This helps keep the inside of your temporary house clean. Also, bring a broom so you can sweep out leaves and pine straw.
  • If you’re at a campsite with a shower (lucky you!), be sure to bring shower shoes and an easy shower caddy to tote. Most of the bathrooms aren’t the cleanest (or dry), so take as little in there as you need.
  • Think outside the tent – bring a hammock, chairs to lounge in and other things to do (i.e. set up a volleyball net, bring your dog if permitted, deck of cards, a good book, etc.).

Check out all the other amazing Teton products for hiking and camping.

What are your best camping tips? Teach me your ways guys!

This post may contain gifted products and/or affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

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FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM