Vital for Getting Up and Going is Vital4U's Screamin' Energy Max Hit

July 14, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, Richmond Brunch Review

As readers of this blog know, I have a caffeine problem. Only a year ago, I used to limit my caffeine intake so I wouldn’t be termed “addicted.” I would have coffee only every other day. Then I gave in because coffee is just that good. The slippery slope led to experimenting with pre-workout supplements (which often entail caffeine), and now I have reached the pinnacle of a caffeine problem where I am reviewing products whose sole purpose is to caffeinate you. Enter stage right Vital4U’s Screamin Energy Max Hit.

I only agree to review products that I’m sincerely interested in using. Besides simply enjoying the taste of coffee, I’m also an avid gym goer and always looking for something to give me a kick and pump. My typical regimen is mixing together some scoops of BCAAs, creatine, glutamine, beta alanine, and arginine before I hit the weights. (These are pretty standard supplements if you follow that stuff. Maybe one day I’ll write more about my #fitlife and become a fitness blogger. Probably not.) However, taking all those powders on the road can be a pain. When I heard about Vital4U, I saw a solution.

Açaí-Inspired Reflections

May 23, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Richmond Brunch Review

My friend recently asked to go for a run and grab a smoothie or "what do you call those bowls?"

Since we were talking smoothies, I immediately knew she meant açaí. Açaí is one of those things whose trendiness is reflected even in the way you write it. You have to include the accents, and you also need to wear Lulelemon when you order it - but I don't own Lululemon, just Nike. Oh well.

I had never actually had an açaí bowl so I was down to go. People assume that because I write for As Told Over Brunch that I must be the biggest foodie. False. For example, I have two-year-expired flour in my pantry. I cook chicken in the crockpot with no seasoning. Price is more important than being locally grown (though that may be the grad student speaking in me - actually that's just me).

Whole30’ing in Richmond: Part Two, or After

March 16, 2017 by astoldoverbrunch in Guest Post, life lessons, Life In Your 20's

This January, I completed my first Whole30.

Technically, so did my roommate Grace. This would be mean if we weren’t practically sisters. But instead, it’s funny since it’s the truth, and I also take complete ownership of derailing her first attempt.

What I learned: read your labels.

Brunch Review: Citrus

Citrus Breakfast & Lunch

March 06, 2016 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Richmond Brunch Review

As a native of Virginia Beach, I started to hear about Citrus Breakfast & Lunch, or just Citrus, a couple of years ago. It became an even bigger deal when they opened a second location in VB. On a trip home, my friends and I tried to get a table there. The hostess promptly informed us that the wait for the table was 45 minutes to an hour.

LOL

Me: “I think we’ll go somewhere else.”

Ain’t no brunch worth that wait.

Hot and Spicy Qrunch Crust Quiche

January 15, 2016 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Richmond Brunch Review

A couple of weeks ago I got asked to go on CBS 6's "Virginia This Morning" in honor of Hot and Spicy Food Day (which is tomorrow, so get your chili peppers!). I was asked to tasked with talking about how you can celebrate such an auspicious holiday and incorporate Qrunch Organics, which is a brand ATOB has worked with before. Part of this involved bringing homemade spicy foods to the studio.

If you caught the segment, I ended up making a spicy salad (regular salad topped with a Qrunch burger and chili powder-infused Italian dressing), some spicy nuts, and a Qrunch crust quiche.

11 Tips For Eating Healthy Over the Holidays

November 25, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Richmond Brunch Review

Around the holidays we find ourselves at far more parties and big meals with friends and family we haven’t seen in a while. The sun also sets sooner, which means less motivation to go for a run. At least for me.

We then complain about gaining weight. But what if I told you there was a way to avoid gaining weight? And you could make $100K a year? And get the spouse of your dreams? Well, I can only promise you the first part – and I can’t even promise you that. But here are 11 tips for not gaining a turkey over the holidays.

The Pros and Cons of Dieting

April 07, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Work

We made it: I officially came in second in The Biggest Loser Challenge at my work. It’s been a really awesome three months, where I learned that I can actually lose weight, I can stay motivated and I can totally do it. However, dieting is hard and should be a life change that continues forever, not a three month long competition. But today’s not what about what lies ahead for me and my pact with myself to live a healthier life, but a reflection upon the clichéd “peaks and valleys” of dieting.

Make Healthy Your Standard of Beauty [Sara's Post on Elite Daily]

February 12, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara

From time to time, we all feel like we need to do something to make ourselves look beautiful. And sometimes, we take it too far, where it may be considered beautiful, but is also compromising our health.

Can we all join together and realize that what's good for our health should be the real standard of beauty? Read my latest post on Elite Daily with my sentiments on society's standards of beauty here: http://elitedai.ly/1ArwarA

If you like what you read, share the article with someone who you think is healthily beautiful.

Sara's Second in the Biggest Loser

February 03, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Work

I probably could have not shouted out my status in the Biggest Loser in the title of this post, and built up to my second place status, but I haven't been this proud of myself in a long time. I have always made excuses about not losing weight, but with a bit of focus, I've been able to do really well with it this time. It started off pretty rocky.

It definitely took a few days to adjust to my new healthier, less food-driven lifestyle. I was hungry all the time and never felt like I was ever satisfied. But my body adjusted. I got used to less food. And you know what? It's crazy how little food you actually do need, once you adjust your body to less food. I'm about to list some tips for healthier eating, but by no means am I qualified to offer suggestions, other than the fact that I've lost a "stone" (which is what the British woman at work said to me, and I thought was so cool I texted several people about my lost stone). To us Americans, that means 14 pounds, which is about 7% of my bodyweight.

Yes, thats 7% less of me to love, but we can get through this together. Anyways, here's my list of diet suggestions:

What Not to Say to Someone On a Diet

January 14, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Uncategorized

As some of you may recall, I have began a work-hosted Biggest Loser competition. It's only a little over a week into my new diet, and I've heard a myriad of statements that annoy me so frequently that I feel it is my public service to write them down for everyone as a learning opportunity. Here is what not to say to someone on a diet (or at least someone like me, or just me):

"Why? You don't have to lose weight." You're right, I don't HAVE to lose weight. No one is forcing me to. However, I am over the weight that is considered healthy. When I sit down, my roll is now protruding over my pants. My face is rounder than it used to be. I get out of breath easier than before. I want to lose weight, but yes, you are correct, I don't need to.