The Fit Girl's Floral-y Alternatives

Funny thing is, I was never a fan of flowers. While most girls gush on bouquets of colorful blooms or go to flower markets to buy sprigs and blossoms for their house, I'm one who would be the one to keep the litterbox poop-free or vacuum the house. For me, I didn't really want the idea of someone to spend so much money on something that would be dying in a few days a slow, sad death. I would want something that I can enjoy aside from just looking at its beauty for just a few days.

If you would still want to give something blossomy-pretty, here are a few bouquet-inspired ideas on how to turn random things into something gorgeous and Valentine's-like. Not only are they gorgeous, but they are also yummy and good for our bodies.


Broccoli

Broccoli is a staple in most grocery carts of fit girls. For those allergic to fish, broccoli can be your source of  Omega-3's. It's also got anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. It's also good for your digestive and cardiovascular system. Just get good broccoli (organic is best) and tie a ribbon with a short note. It also looks like a bouquet. If you're not a broccoli fan, you can use cauliflower, which can be "riced" and made into gluten-free cauliflower rice or pizza. You can also combine both cauliflower and broccoli.


Enoki and Bacon

#enokiandbacon

A photo posted by Bernice Caruana (@bernicecaruana) on Feb 19, 2015 at 9:30am PST

Happy protein overload. This savory grilled veggie. They actually look like tiny boqueuts. Just grab a bunch of enoki (seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper)  and then wrap them with bacon before grilling. Cool a bit before eating. Don't they look like tiny bouquets in the photo?


Strawberries

希望收到的你們都喜歡💓 #strawberry #amorningcatflower #morningcatflower #strawberrybouquet#bouquet#flower#

A photo posted by 乾燥花 (@a.morningcat) on Feb 12, 2017 at 1:22am PST

Strawberries are also associated with Valentine's day. Let's make this awesome fruit the star of the show.  Did you know that they contain also a lot of antioxidants? They're also great in curbing PMS symptoms and prevent illnesses with the antioxidants. I've seen lots of tutorials on creating a strawberry bouquet. You can create your own and make it as small or as big as you want. For an added treat, dip some (or all) in dark chocolate for a nice treat. Even after dismantling the bouquet, the fruit will still be enjoyed in the form of smoothies, cakes, snacks, and even as it is.


Protein Bars

Grattis Andre @ronnband #proteinbarbouquet #proteinstångsbukett #proteiinipatukkakimppu

A photo posted by Lillemor (@lilylove666) on Dec 12, 2015 at 10:13am PST

Nothing makes a fit girl happy than the gift of #gainz or support towards the #roadtogainz so give her a stock of an after-workout muscle-building snack arranged like a bouquet or topiary in a flower pot. Make it one flavor (usually her favorite) or pick out her favorites and some bestsellers if you would want it assorted, Kinda unusual, but it's one happy gift for the one who wants some gainz.


Smoothie Bowls

Guys. I did something amazing. I cracked my own coconut and made this Acai bowl right here. 🌺 I did not buy this! Repeat: I did not buy this!! Feeling so proud of myself! ☺️ Made a brand new YouTube video for you on how to make your own DIY Acai bowls... so go watch on 📽YouTube.com/blogilates (link in bio). Btw, do you pronounce it ah-sai-EE, AH-sai, or ah-SAI-we? Hawaiian popsters help me out! #blogilates #cheapcleaneats

A photo posted by Cassey Ho (@blogilates) on Oct 19, 2016 at 5:14pm PDT

Not really floral-y but just as pretty, these are gorgeous IG-worthy treats that are great for breakfast. I posted a few smoothie bowl recipes earlier so you can refer to that or your own if you want to go DIY,  This awesome acai bowl I found over at Blogilates looks super gorgeous (it's even got actual edible flowers! Substitute with food readily available and remember to use very little liquid with your fruit base.  Frozen fruit too helps create that icecream-like consistency.

Any ideas for floral bouquet-inspired Valentine's gifts? Post them on Instagram and tag me and I would love to see your creations!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Everything's Up In Chocolate

Something yummy's in my drawer but it's not for my tummy. In line with Valentine's Day, The Body Shop takes inspiration from an iconic Valentine treat that's not just for grownups but for everyone, regardless of sugar level - CHOCOLATE. Their bath and body line, Chocomania, isn't just a treat for the skin but also for the senses.

Sensual, sweet, and tantalizing, the Chocomania bath and body line came in time for Valentine's day. Taking a whiff from the products, it really does smell like chocolate. I'm reminded of chocolate cake or brownie batter, had I closed my eyes, I would've taken a taste. But let me remind you that although they smell sweet and yummy, the Chocomania range is best left for the skin instead of the digestive system. It's not an edible treat okay?

What I have here with me are the Chocomania body lotion and body butter, both for moisturizing my skin on off-pole days or relieving chafed skin (I always have to stress that I use moisturizer only when I'm not dancing) after an hour of class or practicing. The one I have is just half of the entire Chocomania range, though.

For sloughing off dead skin, the body scrub (Php 995) makes showering and exfoliating a nice treat. This one was the one whose appearance reminded me so much of brownie batter, and it smells like it too. Then use the shower cream right after (Php 895)

To retain the soft baby smooth skin in the shower, seal off moisture with the moisturizer. The moisturizer left my skin feeling nice and soft, and it's easily absorbable on the skin. I'm glad that it didn't rub on my clothes after, or else that would be a pain to remove.

The Chocomania body butter is pricier than usual body butters (Php 1095). It is not your usual body butter. Your usual body butters provide only 24 hours moisturization. This body butter is a little more generous in adding another 24-hour duty, so that's a total of 48-hour moisturization. If you compare it to other body butters, if you're a body butter user like me, it's richer and heavier in consistency, almost like real spreadable butter on bread except that it's semi-solid on room temperature. I use only little amount and on areas that are super dry and need extra care - elbows, knees, feet, hands, and sometimes my tummy and back. It works well, too well that it's scary to pole if you have this on your thighs, back-of-knee and tops of the feet the night before. The best time to use this? Saturday night, when there's no pole on Sundays.

Aside from layering the entire line for an intense, yummy, and chocolate-y feel, feel free to experiment and mix with your favorite The Body Shop lotion/body butter "flavors". I've tried mixing my Chocomania lotion with my Candied Ginger hand cream from the holiday scents and I got a really nice, warm, spicy-sweet scent that reminded me of hot cocoa and gingerbread. A very romantic concoction could be classic romance icons - strawberry and chocomania - like sweet strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. How about mixing satsuma and chocolate? or if sweetness is your thing, try vanilla and chocolate. I have yet to try the combination of Moringa and Chocomania, which can be interesting, but so far the ginger and chocolate scent is in my favorite list. Now that's something yummy!

Flowers Anyone?

Valentine's keeps roses and flowers in bloom and surely as you could see, love is definitely in the air. Flowers are indeed classic gifts to everyone, and I'm pretty sure that most of you are quite sick already of the red and pink palette in whatever permutations. For those who still want flowers but want something with a bit more personality, you could check out floral arrangements by Tecson Flowers, to suit your lovies' taste, personality, and favorite color. Take this orange one for example:

Orange is such a cheery and pick-me-up color it instantly gives you energy. It would surely look unique and cute. Valentine's Day falls on a weekday so this could be given during a date during lunchbreak or as a surprise to peak the energy from slaving at work. The checkered burlap cover gives it quite an interesting touch.

I've met a lot of girls whose favorite color is yellow. Yellow isn't exactly a girly color, but I see it more as a happy and fresh color that's pleasing to the eyes. if your girl (or guy, who says that only girls should receive flowers?) has yellow as her favorite color, this could be a good alternative.

A girly-girl would always love pink, so the classic pink isn't missed out here.

Of course these aren't the only colors available. There are various colors to choose from and if you want a rainbow of colors, then it's possible for foolproof happy Valentine's Day. These flowers are available at SM Megamall, SM Bacoor, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, and SM Valenzuela. They are also located at Greenhills Theater Mall. For foolproof and more info, they also have a website to look on to. Have fun this vday!