Top 3 Health/Wellness Buys of 2017

I am always on the look out for healthy items to add to my daily/weekly routine.  I look at blogs, YouTube videos, instagram accounts, and local health stores for items that would be worth buying and using regularly.
This year I have found 3 items that I use just about DAILY and plan to purchase OVER AND OVER!!  So I had to share!!!

#1 Kodiak Protein Pancake Mix

I think I first heard about these from a blogger.  I can't even remember.  I have been making my own healthy pancakes for years using protein powder, banana, oats, etc., but I am the only one in house that will eat them.  So I thought these might just be something I could make for everyone.  I was skeptical- because let's face it lots of 'healthy' products just aren't that great tasting.  I bought a package, which I found at our local Kroger, and made some pancakes for Emersyn... wait for reaction...
"Mom, these are better than the restaurant we go to!"
BOOM!!!!
I tasted them myself and holy cow they ARE actually good!!!  So let's chat facts and why they are so darn healthy.
You can make 4 small pancakes or 1 large waffle for only 190 calories, ONLY 2g of fat, 30 carbs, 5g fiber, and a whopping 14g of PROTEIN!!!  Can you even believe that!!!??
I normally can not have whey protein at all- but this is made of a protein blend and I have found that my stomach can handle this just fine! Yipppee!
So after finding this amazing product- I went out told my mom, sister, sister in law, brother in law, shit everyone I could :) and they all now use it!! So now I'm telling you all!! This is worth a try!

We use this mix a few times a week.  I make both girls pancakes on Friday mornings when Eme has no school.  Emersyn doesn't like syrup (not sure what's wrong with her) so I drop a few dark chocolate chips into hers and Rowyn just eats them plain.  I love making mine into a waffle and adding peanut butter and fresh fruit.
We love breakfast for dinner at our house so this is a perfect addition with our omelets.  Simple healthy meal!!!

You can use the mix for pancakes, muffins, waffles- the list goes on!!!  okay I could go on and on about how much I love this stuff but onward...

Product # 2 BCAAs

Back in March, I started a program to help lose my baby weight and on that program we were instructed to drink BCAAs.  Of course I had no clue what this was or why I was drinking it at the beginning, but I quickly felt a difference in my body.  So naturally, I shared with the hubby, we became a bit more educated on the benefits, and now we both drink this DAILY!!

Do your own in-depth research if you are interested in learning more facts- I'm going to keep this super simple because I am NO EXPERT!

What does BCAA stand for?
Branch Chain Amino Acids

What do they do for our bodies? 
 Saves Muscle while burning Fat
 Suppresses Appetite
 Gives you Energy
 Reduces Belly Fat
 Boosts Immunity
 Reduces Muscle Soreness

for more detailed information on each of these visit this super helpful website http://www.crockpotempire.com/bcaas-saving-muscle-while-burning-fat/

Okay- so YES PLEASE to all of those benefits.  I workout in the mornings, and I do so on a fasted stomach.  Gasp- I know!!! How do I have the energy to workout with no breakfast?! Easy, my body is use to it now.  I wake up, drink a cup of coffee, take my BCAAs in a water bottle with me to the gym and drink during workout.  It gives me energy to power through all types of workouts (lifting, HIIT, cardio, etc.)  Then I will drink another half serving throughout the day at some point with about 20oz of water in my YETI.   For my husband, it has helped with cutting out soda.  He will drink a large cup of water with BCAAs every morning and at night!

We buy ours off Amazon because you can select from lots of flavors but in a pinch I have purchase from Kroger.  I'm telling you I drink it daily and can tell a difference on days I don't.

Product #3 Collagen Peptides

What the what??  That's what I was thinking when this dang product kept popping up in ALL my health instagram feeds.  So I had to do some research to see what all the fuss was about.  Let's just say I liked what I learned... 

Sleep quality: Better cognitive function, a sounder sleep cycle and and less daytime drowsiness according to clinical studies shown here

Bone & joint health: Glycine speeds up wound healing and helps loosen up stiff joints

Weight loss: For every 2 scoops of collagen, you will ingest about 18 grams of protein. Try adding a few scoops to your morning coffee or drink to feel more satiated

Digestive aid: Aids in soothing and healing the digestive tract, as well as helping to repair the mucous lining. In addition, collagen helps to digest the protein and fat found in food, which leads to the body being able to digest them more easily!

Skin health: Ensures elasticity and regeneration of the skin. The amino acids that are found in collagen have been linked to anti-aging. A study in 2014 showed that women who took collagen peptides regularly for eight weeks saw a 20% reduction in wrinkle

Above info and more in-depth information can be found at the following website: http://themovementmenu.com/collagen-benefits-and-recipes/

I personally add 1 scoop of collagen to my morning coffee and 1 scoop to my afternoon match or green tea!  It really helps curb my appetite! 

OKAY!!! There you have it- MY TOP 3 MUST HAVES FOR 2017!!!

I would love to hear what your 'health' items are that you can't live without! I am always on the hunt for a good protein powder that doesn't leave me bloated, and I am really looking for the right supplements/vitamins right now for my body.

Here's to our healthiest year of all!