Think Thin

Creating Confidence + thinkConfidence Giveaway

thinkThin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:46:15 +0000

My son Aydan is at that age where he knows much, and is daily expanding his knowledge base. He is a confident 8 year old young boy, but he is still a baby. And how fantastic that is, to just be a kid. Kids are open to life.

At the kitchen table this morning, he noticed I had my affirmation cards on the counter. I like to read a card before I leave the house for the day, yes, to set the intention for the day, and give me a kick in my step (and sometimes a kick in the pants when I’m looking to shift my perspective.

He asked me what an affirmation card was anyway, and I had to think about that. Really, for me these cards are a way to set the tone for my day. I said to him, these cards are confidence tools. He gave me a quizzical look, no, more a look like MOM! and so I read him one:

I love and accept myself right now….. I am in the process of becoming my own best friend- the person I am most joyous to be with.

And you just should have seen his face. He was so intensely- joyful- and he got so excited by the words, the idea itself… Kids are like that, they are like that sometimes, when the truth really hits them. They can get incredibly jazzed, yes, excitedly childlike, about…. the joy of living, about the possibilities that life has to offer us.

thinkThin® promotes weight wellness. This is the optimal energy and weight range at which our bodies feel happy and healthy. This is not dictated by aesthetic, shape, weight or tape measure – it is the physical outcome of feeling energized, confident, and living a life that is vibrant, varied and fulfilling. When we talk about Weight Wellness – the wellness part truly is about confidence. Confidence in our abilities, confidence in our beauty, confidence in our sustained health – inside and out.

Any way you peel it, any way you look at it, reading an affirmation helps with confidence. For me, these little sayings give me a touchstone to my day. When I need a moment to just regroup, I return to the affirmation. The words take me to my highest self- where I feel powerful, happy, and see life full of abundance and possibility. Yes, to a place where I am confident about myself, this world, and my place in it.

What’s the personal affirmation you use in your day that creates confidence in your life? Post your affirmation below on our blog to enter to win a Weight Wellness Duo Box. We will be randomly selecting 15 winners next Wellness Wednesday- on February 1, 2012 at 3pm PST.

To your Vitality,

Lizanne

Gorgeously Gluten Free: thinkThin® Guest Blog

jforms — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:01:48 +0000

Announcing our first Guest Blog! We are happy to introduce Heather Collins, our thinkThin® Marketing Events Manager,who provides first hand knowledge in all things Gluten Free. Enjoy!

Holiday Greetings Gluten Free Friends!

The holidays are here! As we gather together with family and friends, remember to set time out of your day to pamper yourself and get gorgeous for the New Year and embrace what’s ahead: new opportunities, new friends and new adventures. Are you ready?

The past year has been a year of growth and change for me; moving from Denver, Colorado to Los Angeles, California for thinkThin®. It’s amazing where life takes you. Six months ago I was saying goodbye to the Rocky Mountains and today I embrace the warm Southern California sun and ocean breezes.

What I also find remarkable is the gluten-free journey I have been on for the past three years. You see, I also have to eat gluten-free and I was FINALLY diagnosed with the symptoms of celiac disease after countless doctor’s appointments and exams. I say finally, because I finally figured out what was making me sick all these years…gluten!

In the past three years, I have learned to overcome the rolls of eyes from wait staff after ordering a gluten-free meal at a restaurant or café. Somewhere along this journey, I also found the strength and positive karma spirit to live healthy and gluten-free.

So, of course I am proud to say that I am gorgeously gluten free this holiday season. Forget the girly-girl hair and makeup routine. For me being gorgeously gluten free truly means pausing for a moment and relishing in the stillness before the stresses of daily life begins.

Confidence and moments of Zen: That’s what makes me gorgeously gluten free. How do you live gorgeously gluten free?

Along with your holiday party invitations, I extend an invitation for you to enjoy gluten-free tranquility this holiday season by entering our Gorgeously Gluten Free Holiday Giveaway.

To your vitality, HC

Nutrition on the Go: Traveling and Portable Nutrition

jforms — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:14:31 +0000

I travel at least once a week so I am very familiar with trying to find portable nutrition on the go. Two important factors come into play when I select an airline; internet connectivity and snack options. All business travelers understand the common dilemma – you haven’t eaten for hours, you are about to board a plane and you need to find something that’s good for you, satisfying and preferably delicious.

Many aspects of air travel have frankly not improved. Much as we all understand the need for careful security; long lines, official ID checks, medical looking scanners, undressing, re-dressing is really not an enjoyable part of the journey. But I have to say one thing about travel that I find to be a positive change – there are many more healthy snacks or portable nutrition on the go options available at airports today.

As an international fashion model I spent over a decade criss-crossing Europe, Japan and Australia. I started when I was 19 and traveled every 60 days. At that time, food options at the airport were limited to greasy hamburgers, hotdogs and potato chips. Meals served on airplanes were often inedible. I could never figure out what was in front of me, was it chicken, pork or beef, who knew? Now as food is rarely included in flights, particularly on domestic routes, the option is to purchase food inflight or from an airport kiosk prior to departure.

This morning walking through the airport I was summoned by the smell of BBQ chicken. I was running on empty and was happy to find some pretty delicious tasting protein. Picking up a magazine, I found a great selection of raw nuts (almonds are my favorite), beef jerky, pop chips and a variety of energy bars and sugar free candy. Continuing towards my gate, I passed a bakery offering a good selection of muffins including bran, sugar free and gluten free options.

On my flight home, I took stock; in the time that I have been traveling for my career the lines and the waiting have certainly gotten longer, more people travel and have to fit into ever shrinking seats and the expectation of service has been reduced to the minimum. I must say that I really am pleased to see that as standards have been challenged in many areas, options of portable nutrition on the go have evolved and increased so much. I am actually quite excited to see what everyone else brought on board with them.

As passengers, the more we support and ask for good options and formats of food in airport terminals, the more will be available. As consumers, we can play a significant role in this. Travel and time difference is hard on our bodies, yet it is a time that we really nourish ourselves, so I am happy to see this trend. Let’s all continue it to make sure that the options for good, healthy, portable nutrition on the go keep increasing!

Cell Rejuvenation: Growing Younger at the Cellular Level

jforms — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:19:52 +0000

I just had a birthday and as often happens with that annual milestone, I found myself weighing thoughts of a life well lived and how best to proceed on this positive path. I read an interesting fact regarding the science of your cells and cell rejuvenation. Cells constantly reignite, muscle cells refresh every 90 days and taste buds turn over renewing cells every few hours. On average, you renew about 1 percent of your cells daily and those cells come in either stronger or weaker depending on the chemical signals they receive. It is important that you refresh your cells on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter how you choose to do this, your cells won’t judge, they’ll just rejuvenate. So dance, walk the dog, play ball with your kids, take a relaxing walk on the beach, run in place for ten minutes, work out and get your groove on every day! Trust me your body will hear what you are saying and respond positively! With regular activity, new tissue grows, and cell rejuvenation takes place. Turning 48 gives me another 52 years and then some to shake, rattle and roll. After my birthday dinner, I simply returned home to dance in the living room with joyous laughing children as we regenerated our cells without even thinking about it. I love my life and aging under the platform of Weight Wellness. This is the optimal weight range at which our bodies feel happy and healthy. This is not defined or dictated by aesthetic, shape, weight or tape measure — it is the emotional outcome of feeling good. Most of us assume aging is inevitable, but try thinking of growing old as optional thanks to renewing cells!

Weight Wellness according to Health at Every Size

jforms — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:20:13 +0000

Traveling back from Boston yesterday I sat next to a woman who commented on my weight wellness snacking choices – almonds, dried fruit and beef jerky. She starting talking to me about (HAES), Health At Every Size, a radical new approach to getting healthier precisely by not focusing on your weight. As I listened to her comments, I was pleased to hear the similar principals aligning with our weight wellness platform.

The basic premise is that healthy behaviors can improve your life regardless of whether they result in weight loss. People abandon diets in favor of “intuitive eating,” which means paying close attention to what you crave and how the foods you eat make you feel, as well as gradually learning to distinguish emotional hunger from the physical kind. For exercise, identify any activity that provides enough fun that you don’t need to force yourself to do it regularly. What I really like is HAES also demands that you love and respect your body just as it is, whatever size. At its core, it is about stripping away rigid ideas and stereotypes about food and fitness.

I think this fundamental weight wellness shift to body and mind is long overdue. Switch the focus from weight to health. It’s time to stop the single-minded focus on diets; listen to your body, enjoy your food, get out and walk, swim or play kick ball with your kids! Besides, most people who truly focus on weight wellness and doing some form of exercise will find that the weight eventually takes care of itself. One of the greatest contributing factors to a healthy body and mind is laughter. Live life well and to the fullest!

Label Readers

jforms — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:21:16 +0000

By Lizanne

Long gone are the days of throwing items in the shopping cart just because you like the picture on the box. Nowadays the box gets flipped over and we are consciously reading the nutrition labels to decide what’s good for us and what isn’t. The most important things to look for are Serving size, sugar, calories, fiber and protein. Equally important to the serving size is the number of servings in the package. More often than not, we actually consume more than the suggested serving size. If a package has 4 servings and you eat the entire package, you just quadrupled the calories, fat, etc. that you have eaten. More and More people are taking the journey through the grocery store with a closer eye, people are more educated on ingredients and have become label savvy. Calories provide a measure of how much energy you get from a serving of food. Most of us consume more calories than we actually need, so keep your eyes and ears open and be aware of what and how much you are feeding your body.

Some manufacturers claim to be low fat or low calorie so don’t judge a book by its cover, flip it over and read the back! Don’t be fooled by fancy packaging. You be the final judge!

Be confident that the food we are buying and putting into your family’s mouths and bodies is actually healthy. Foods that are high protein with minimal amounts of sugar and Gluten are the optimal choice for your body to have energy and function properly. No more sugar crashes. No more food comas. Just another ingredient in a day lived well.

Lizanne Naturally: A Natural Centerpiece

jforms — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 08:09:35 +0000

Lizanne sono in vacanza a Italia – Day Ten

This month we will share some “postcards” from Italy where Lizanne is enjoying the country of her grandparents and some memories or her childhood. Expect to see some wonderful food and simple moments of Italian life.

A Natural Centerpiece - Colonna portante naturale

By Lizanne

A burled twig basket of freshly picked lemons from green to yellow in ripeness, some with leaves attached. A long twist of fresh garlic stalks with an abundant bunch of healthy garlic bulbs. Everything imperfect. Everything just as nature delivered it. What a fantastic centerpiece for any table! What casual art this is and how wise to honor things just the way nature brings them to us. Next time your at the farmers market, I hope you think of this to decorate your table, or just place it on your kitchen cabinet.

July – A Celebration of Basil – Tasting Tips

Remember to pinch top leaves off your basil plants so it won’t flower: when basil flowers, it stops producing leaves.

thinkAhead: Take Us With You … To the Gym

jforms — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:08:17 +0000

Where do you thinkThin®? Whether it’s the top of a mountain or your lunch box, just Like this post on Facebook and email a photo of your thinkThin® bar to rachel@thinkproducts.com at a place you “thinkThin®” and we’ll share your photo on our blog and send you a free box of bars!

Tracy thinks thin on her way to the gym: "I Think Thin when I am on my way to the gym! I always grab a Think Thin bar on my way out so I can refuel after a hard workout or between classes! I love that these have no sugar and more protein than most bars. They taste great too! Thank you!!!"

Lizanne Naturally: Breaded Sardines Recipe

jforms — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:07:32 +0000

Lizanne sono in vacanza a Italia – Day Nine

Breaded Sardines Recipe - Impanata le sardine

By Lizanne

Fresh sardines are really nothing like those found snuggly packed into a tin. Sardines caught locally and popped into a pan with a light covering of crumbs and a spritz of lemon are indeed a different thing all together. Sardines are extremely good for you food, full or iron and protein. To be honest, this is the first time I really enjoyed the taste of sardines.

Bread separately

Fry in light oil

Serve with lemon and olive oil

July – A Celebration of Basil – Tasting Tips

Make a cocktail snack: spread ricotta on toasted baguette slices, top with chopped basil and honey.

Lizanne Naturally: Great Things Can Come From Small Kitchens

jforms — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:04:42 +0000

Lizanne sono in vacanza a Italia – Day Eight

Great things can come from small kitchens - Una buona piccola cucina

By Lizanne

I was so charmed by this local villa. A tiny space, immaculately clean and completely decked out for all kinds of success! I am standing next to the liquor selection. On the wall opposite me are pans of all sizes and to my left, cooking supplies. It was inspiring.

July – A Celebration of Basil – Tasting Tips

Dress up your protein chicken dinner: mix olive oil, chopped basil, salt and pepper, rub chicken skin prior to roasting.