lifestyle

Did you know that if you’re write an ambition down you’re way more likely to stick to it? It’s true! One of our favorite bloggers, Zanita, shared 10 of her great habits in hopes of successfully achieving them. These are perfect for every LoveSurf girl to try.  Exercise Regularly. What I’ve found is that reducing the amount of time in my commitment is incredibly helpful. If I say I’m going to the gym, I’m commit to 15-20 of cardio minutes and then once I’m in there I’ll end up doing 40 anyway. Sometimes. Every bit counts! And helps immensely with your energy and focus.  Read for 20 minutes everyday. Well it doesn’t need to be 20 minutes but a good healthy swig of book juice into your brain will really boost your brain. We can all use a little extra learning!  Drink water. Drinking water when you first wake and then loading up throughout the day is probably the simplest and cheapest way to improve the quality of your life. Getting more H20 can improve your digestion, your skin, help you lose weight, give you more energy – it benefits all your bodies process.  Make a routine. Even if you’re surrounds are in constant flux, you can still…

Have you ever wondered how to take a body-loving dish to the next level!? Today we’re sharing amazing combinations that not only taste delicious, but also increase your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients contained in the food! OH YES! If you thought kale couldn’t get any better for you, think again Talk about a match made in heaven, here are 4 ways to supercharge your meals… Power Pair 1: Steamed kale or broccoli topped with an egg! Why your body loves it: This combo is great for two amazing reasons. First, you’re giving your body essential nutrients that includes vitamin D from the egg yolk and calcium from the greens! These two nutrients are essential, playing a key role in increasing immunity, bone health and even cell growth — but what makes this a supercharged match is that Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Let’s not forget one of our favorite benefits: this tasty duo makes a simple and satisfying lunch! Powerful Pair 2: Dark Chocolate & Berries Why your body loves it: This decadent combo feels sexy and is good for you to boot! Not only are berries and chocolate always a good idea, but the combination of iron (from the chocolate) and Vitamin C (from the berries) is really…

In a slump these days? Changing your mood is simpler than you think. All you have to do is give up a few things and it will feel as though a weight has been lifted from you. Keep reading to find out what you need to banish in your life. Give up your bad spending habits. Nothing causes stress like big bills. Set yourself up with a monthly budget so you don’t wind up facing debt. Give up waiting for the perfect moment. Have you been waiting for years to go on your dream vacation or ask your boss for a raise? Now is the time to make those things happen. The truth is, no moment will be the perfect moment, so rip off the band-aid and do it now. You’ll be much more pleased once you get what you have been longing for. Give up your social media obsession. Sometimes the constant need to check your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram becomes an obsession — you want to know what’s going on outside of your world rather than enjoying your own experiences. Shut the laptop, put down the phone, and take in some memories for yourself. Give up your disorganized life. I know this seems like…

Exercise can change your life. You’ll never regret a work out, no matter how long or short it may be. There are many reasons to exercise other than burning the calories consumed in yesterday’s cheat meal.  Here are 3 reasons that will inspire you to remember working out isn’t always about looking down at the scale. Clears Your Mind. A good run or workout can help you clear your head and solve a few problems because of increased serotonin levels. Serotonin is the chemical in your body responsible for happiness, restful sleep, and a healthy appetite. Serotonin levels increase if you work out regularly leaving you with more energy and clearer thinking. Exercise is a natural anti-stress treatment, and way cheaper than therapy! Next time you have a lot on your mind or are having a rough day, grab your running shoes and break a sweat. We promise it will make you feel better and brighten your day. Improved Energy (and Productivity). It’s easy to assume that after a hard workout you will feel fatigued, but that is actually totally false! Research shows that regular exercise can boost energy levels. After a beach run or gym session, I always seem to knock everything off of my to-do list in no time. So…

Graphic and Textile Designer Jessica McCoy was born and raised right outside Tokyo, Japan until she was 7 years old. Now the 24 year old calls sunny California home where she enjoys Orange County’s beautiful beaches and surf. “It seems like the amount of choices you have for waves are endless. That being said, I have my eyes set on Hawaii for the future, maybe Bali or Costa Rica or the Galapagos too.” Jessica says. Photo Courtesy of CSquared | Bikini Crocheted by Jessica McCoy When did you start making art and pursue Graphic and Textile design? I started making art since my first art class at 2 years old (we start school young in Japan!). I’ve always been an artsy-crafty person, but kept it as a hobby and didn’t really pursue it until much later. I wanted to study graphic design in college, but got a lot of “advice” saying I should do something more practical unless I wanted to become a starving artist. I caved from the outside pressure and ended up studying Kinesiology. It combined science and sports, which I both love, and it sounded fancy enough to deter any “practical majors” advice. I went from Athletic Training to Pre-Physical Therapy and even became a Certified…

x LOVESURF Healthy Habits Every Girl Should Have was originally published on THE LOVESURF BLOG

Superfoods are a quick and easy way to get some serious nutrients into your body. Yet stepping into the world of superfoods can be a little intimidating. We get it. We’ve been there! “How much will this cost me?” “Do they taste good?” “Which ones do I use?” “Why do I need those weird things… In short, superfoods are great for your body and great for our world. They are all natural and are filled with many nutrients that our bodies crave but don’t receive. And because they are non-GMO + organic that means they are coming from hard working farmers who take care of their crops and the earth in sustainable ways. So, to help you transition into becoming a superfood user we made a list of the Top 10 Superfoods we love in green smoothies. Chia Seeds. If you are looking for a green smoothie staple then you have come to the right place. These do-it-all superseeds are good for your head with their high content of omega fatty acids that increase healthy brain function, but have also proven to be good for your heart by fighting high cholesterol and heart disease. They even boast a wide variety of nutrients, such…

I’ve met a lot of really cool, successful and interesting people, and I always have the same question for them: what inspires you? More times than not, it’s either a person (family member, group of people) or a mantra they think about often to keep them going. Me personally? I’m more of a mantra girl. I may think about someone during a workout that inspires me to push a bit more, but for the most part, and especially on solo bike rides, I spend a lot of time in my own head. While I’m generally an optimist and see the good in most situations, here are my top 3 mantras that can truly get me through anything… 1. Live Kindly Of course I had to throw my own one into the mix. It’s my favorite. It means so many different things wrapped up into two simple words. At the beginning of this journey, I made a few promises to myself: I would never look back on the past, I would never compare myself to others and I would think of myself in the most positive light. Unproductive thoughts lead to, well, unproductive everything. By keeping this simple mantra in the…