Are You Getting Enough Protein? Here’s Why It Matters (+ A Giveaway!)

As a busy working mom, I am not ashamed to admit I need all the extra help I can get. Fortunately, I have discovered that I can get a huge amount of help from boosting the amount of protein I get each day. If you need more proof, read on!

How Much Protein You Need Each Day?

According to Healthline, “The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. This amounts to:

• 56 grams per day for the average sedentary man.

• 46 grams per day for the average sedentary woman.

Though this meager amount may be enough to prevent downright deficiency, studies show that it’s far from sufficient to ensure optimal health and body composition.”

This is just one of the reasons I love Premier Protein! Just one 11.5 oz bottle packs 30 grams of protein, meaning I almost reach the required minimum with just one drink!

Protein Reduces Hunger Cravings

You can hear you need protein all day long, but if you don’t know why you won’t feel the need to add more protein to your diet. But DIET is the keyword here. Did you know by increasing your protein intake you decrease your hunger cravings? Protein is filling; therefore, it reduces your appetite. Healthline reports, “In one study, increasing protein intake from 15% to 30% of calories made overweight women eat 441 fewer calories each day without intentionally restricting anything.”

Protein is the Muscle’s Building Blocks

Plus, protein is excellent for post-workout recovery. In the same report, Healthline explains, “eating adequate amounts of protein helps you maintain your muscle mass and promotes muscle growth when you do strength training.” This is why I also have Premier Protein with me when I go for a hike or to the gym.

Protein Gives You Longer-Lasting Energy

But, as a busy working mom, what I really need is energy – another thing you can get from increasing your protein intake. CNN explains, “Not consuming enough protein during the day can be a primary reason for fatigue. Protein-based foods provide the body with fuel to repair and build tissues. Protein takes longer than carbohydrates to break down in the body, providing a longer-lasting energy source.”

Premier Protein Makes It Super Easy to Get What You Need

This is why I have come to rely on Premier Protein shakes and bars. Premier Protein makes it super easy and convenient to get enough protein in my diet. Their protein shakes come in 11.5 oz bottles with closed lids so you can toss them in your bag and take them with you anywhere you go. This makes it much easier than mixing your own protein shake at home and transporting it - and no cleaning! Plus, they offer delicious flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Cookies and Cream, so I enjoy drinking them.

GIVEAWAY – Win a 4-Pack of Café Latte

Mixing a Protein Shake with added caffeine is a wonderful idea, like a delicious coffee with protein, to get my day going! Premier Protein just released their new product with added caffeine (equivalent to 1 cup of coffee) with the same 30g protein, 160 calories, 1g sugar, and 24 Vitamins and Minerals that gives my daily routine that extra spark. We're also giving away one 4-pack of Café Latte for you to enjoy too!

Hop over to my Instagram to get all the giveaway details! Hurry – it ends October 31st.

All the Heart Eye Emojis for T.J.Maxx + A Giveaway!

Oh, T.J. Maxx, my love for you knows no end. As Rod Stewart famously sang, “You fill my heart with gladness. You take away all my sadness. You ease my troubles. That’s what you do.” I could visit your stores every day and still find something new.

If you already love T.J. Maxx or have never had the pleasure of visiting a T.J. Maxx store, I am here to shout my love all across the internet. Trust me – if you don’t already love T.J. Maxx, you will by the time you finish reading what I’m sharing today.

Clarifying Some Untruths About T.J. Maxx

Some people turn their noses up at the thought of shopping at T.J. Maxx assuming it is a discount store. These snobbish people are making a big mistake.

First, T.J. Maxx is NOT a discount store; it is actually an “off-price retailer.”

Second, the products are not out of style. In fact, T.J. Maxx stocks the same current season items as Macy’s and Nordstrom.

Third, their items are not priced cheap because they are marked irregular. There is only a small percentage (5%) of irregular products sold in the stores.

I’m a Maxxinista. You Should Be a Maxxinista, too.

Now that I’ve shed some light on the wrong ideas people have about T.J. Maxx, it is time to explain why I love T.J. Maxx. When I shop at T.J. Maxx, I don’t have to sacrifice quality or price to get looks I love. Why spend extra money on the same thing at a different store? Instead, I can go home with more shopping bags full of quality items I adore for the same price I’d spend for one bag at a department store.

T.J. Maxx Has Everything – and Then Some

Another reason to love T.J. Maxx is that they sell everything – seriously. In addition to the great clothing, you can also find shoes, handbags, accessories, fine jewelry, makeup, and hair products. You can put together your entire look from shopping at this one store. T.J. Maxx also sells clothing for men and children.

But, that’s not all! T.J. Maxx also sells home décor, toys, and pet products. Plus, I recently visited T.J. Maxx to stock up on vacation necessities such as clothing, swimsuits, luggage, beach towels, portable chargers, passport cases, and beach toys for the girls.

It’s Easy to See Why T.J. Maxx is Thriving While Other Retailers are Failing

Every week, we seem to hear about another failing retail store. However, this is not the case for T.J. Maxx. Whereas other long-time retail stores are closing or merging with other brands, more and more T.J. Maxx stores are opening. It’s because they offer the same products we all love at prices we all want.

My Instagram Maxxinista Giveaway

There is a large scale pop-up in the Flatiron Plaza full of my personal T.J. Maxx picks for going on vacation with the entire family with the coolest things to wear, to bring, and to have fun with! Stop by and check it out! If you can guess the price of everything that is in my pod, you have a chance at winning it all!

Think your Maxxinista skills can help you win? Hop over to this Instagram post and comment and guess the price of my pod.

Where to Shop This Black Friday - WINNER ANNOUNCED!

While Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what you have, Black Friday is all about shopping for what you don’t have. For those who love to shop as much as I do, Black Friday is our true holiday! It is a day when the rush of shopping is celebrated – and no one bats an eye when you walk around carrying tons of shopping bags. Shopping mavens, rejoice!

To help guide all my fellow Black Friday competitive shoppers, I am highlighting my picks for the best places to find great deals on Black Friday.

The Best Places to Find Deep Discounts

First, let’s tackle the staples in the industry. You want to head to the department stores offering the biggest discounts. According to Wallet Hub, the store offering the steepest discounts is Belk. Belk has a 2018 average discount of 68.9 percent off regular prices. Kohl’s and Macy’s department store are also in their top ten list. Also, you can expect to find great discounts (and big crowds) at Walmart, Target and Old Navy.

Where to Shop in Your Pajamas

For those of you who do not enjoy the Black Friday frenzy or the large crowds, you can find excellent Black Friday deals online. Even better, many of the major online stores (such as Amazon and Walmart) are offering free Christmas shipping or competitively low shipping costs. You will find the best shopping deals on Amazon and Walmart with Best Buy rounding out the group.

Be aware that online sites will run specials beginning at certain times similarly to actual storefronts. If you know an online retailer will drop the price of an item you have to have, then you might want to set up a notification or alarm. For instance, Amazon will run lightning deals for certain products which will likely sell out in a matter of minutes.

If You Want to Shop in NYC, Here’s Where You Should Go

For those of us who call NYC home or those who will be visiting the city that never sleeps over Thanksgiving, you can head to high-end retail stores to find exceptional Black Friday sales beginning on Thanksgiving. Macy’s Herald Square will be open from 5 pm – 2 am on Thanksgiving, and it will reopen on Black Friday at 6 am. Saks Off Fifth and Bloomingdale’s will also have offer Black Friday deals. If you want to finish your Christmas shopping all in one upscale place, head to Brookfield Place luxury mall.

I’m Going to Make One Reader’s Christmas Wish Come True!

While you are spending your Black Friday shopping for those you love, I want to do something special for one lucky reader. What do you want for Christmas this year? Tell me in the comments of this blog. I will choose one commenter and send her what she wished for! It’s really that simple.

So, what are you waiting for? Tell me what you want this Christmas below. I will choose the lucky Christmas wish winner after Black Friday and send the present her way.

UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IS AMY - WHO WOULD LIKE A GIFT CARD TO HELP HER BUY SOME THINGS FROM HER DAMAGED HOME FROM HURRICANE IRMA. PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL!