Nicole Hopkins, Author at Healthy Smart Living

Fight Classes: Protect Yourself and Get Fit

April 14, 2022

Whether you're looking for a way to shake up your regular workout routine or want to learn how to fight, there are many options available. Regardless of your size, fitness level, or comfort zone, combat sports, and martial arts can help you feel stronger and more confident should you ever need to defend yourself. Below are five excellent self-defense workouts to help you lose weight, get strong, and learn proper offensive and defensive fighting techniques to boost your confidence. Muay Thai Muay Thai combines offensive and defensive moves. These techniques can be used in close quarters, such as a sharp elbow strike to an attacker, or to create space, such as using a push kick to give yourself room to escape a threatening situation. This martial art utilizes nearly...

self defense

Women-Owned Businesses to Support

Nicole Hopkins

March 30, 2022

Top Picks, Wellness

March is Women's History Month, so it's the perfect time to celebrate the bold and strong female entrepreneurs who have taken the risk to live their dreams! Below, I've listed a few businesses owned by women from all walks of life who have turned their passion into a successful business. Check them out and show them your support! Buff Chick Supplements Strong women build each other up, both physically and mentally. This is the mission behind fitness trainer and powerlifter Meg Gallagher's supplement brand. The company tagline is, "insecurity isn't for sale," and she makes it clear that her products aren't meant to be gimmicky "skinny teas" or detox regimens. Gallagher's passion for empowering women extends to sharing her own ever-changing strength journey and being real about her...

shopping

Spring Gardening: What to Plant Now!

Nicole Hopkins

March 16, 2022

Nutrition, Top Picks

Spring will be here before you know it! That means it's time to stop daydreaming about your garden and start making your dreams into reality. Whether you're a veteran gardener or a plant newbie, the sheer number of seed choices available can be overwhelming. While you will have to do a little research into which plants grow best in your location, I've decided to round up a few of my favorite things to plant in March to get your garden growing. [caption id="attachment_5591" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Image credit: Debbie Hudson on Unsplash[/caption] Shrubs and roses Confession time: I love gardens for their beauty more than practicality. I'm learning how to care for fruits, veggies, and other edibles, but flowers are my first love. If the ground isn't frozen, March is...

gardening

HealthySmartLiving: Products That Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Nicole Hopkins

October 13, 2021

Style

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are dozens of ways you can give back. From rounding up purchases to participating in the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure, everyone has an opportunity to support breast cancer treatment and research. While I'm happy to give to charity, I also think it's nice to support these foundations through purchases I would likely already be making. If you're looking for products that support breast cancer awareness with your purchases, here are a few ideas for brands that give back. Stojo Cups These cups are so convenient for hot or cold drinks on the go (or if you work from home like me, they're great for traveling from your kitchen to your desk). They're made of LFGB Certified...

breast cancer awareness

Level Up With Our Favorite Drink Supplements

Nicole Hopkins

September 22, 2021

Nutrition

Supplements are a great way to add a little extra oomph to your diet. Not all supplements are created equal, though, so you have to choose the ones you decide to use carefully. It's always wise to do plenty of research into the ingredients and chat with your doctor before adding anything new to your regimen. I personally like finding supplements that I can either drink on their own or add to my smoothie or water bottle. I'm terrible at remembering to take vitamin pills during the day, but I never forget to sip water or drink my smoothie! Since there are so many supplement pills, drinks, and powders on the market, I've rounded up a few that I think give great results. This will provide you...

supplements

The Meditation Hack Nobody Mentions

Nicole Hopkins

September 1, 2021

Wellness

Meditation and mindfulness are trendy buzzwords right now, so I'm sure that most of you have at least tried to meditate once or twice. Meditating is supposed to help you feel calm, cool and collected, but if you're like most people, it's probably leaving you frazzled and frustrated. Everyone tells you that you should meditate more, but nobody tells you what to expect or how to get the most benefit from it. Meditation isn't easy. It's the kind of thing that you can spend a lifetime getting better at. The good news is that it doesn't have to be hard! I'm here to share one small secret that can help you look forward to meditation practice instead of dreading it. Ready? The Meditation Hack Nobody Mentions My advice is simple:...

meditation

3 Water Bottles We Love

Nicole Hopkins

July 28, 2021

Gadgets, Top Picks

Staying hydrated is essential for year-round health, but it's especially important in the summer months. Our bodies need a LOT of water to function correctly, so it's not really practical or sustainable to constantly drink from single-use plastic bottles. I'm pretty picky when it comes to a reusable water bottle. It needs to be easy to clean, convenient to carry and drink from, big enough to hold plenty of water, sweatproof, and leakproof. Oh, and it has to be pretty (of course). Believe it or not, there are lots of bottles that fit my admittedly long list of needs, and they make my water taste great too! Today, I'm going to share my shortlist of top contenders so that you can find your own perfect reusable bottle. ...

water bottles

My Favorite 3 Ways to Brew Iced Coffee

Nicole Hopkins

July 7, 2021

Nutrition

Making iced coffee is not as simple as pouring a pot of coffee over ice. If you've ever tasted that kind of “iced” coffee, then you'll know it's usually a bitter, watery mess. Fortunately, there are lots of easy ways to brew great iced coffee at home! Below are three of my favorites. In a French Press Brewing iced coffee in a French press is similar to brewing hot coffee; it just takes longer! If you want to try this method, be sure to start it about 12-24 hours before you plan to drink it. Simply double the amount of coffee you would use for a traditional French press, and leave the grounds to steep in the fridge overnight. In the morning, depress the plunger, and pour...

Coffee

My Favorite 3 Ways to Brew Hot Coffee

Nicole Hopkins

June 26, 2021

Nutrition, Top Picks

I'm a coffee snob, and I'm okay with admitting that. I haven't owned a regular drip coffee maker in years because there are just so many other fun and delicious ways to brew hot coffee! If you're stuck in a coffee rut, or you just want to try something different, switching up your brewing method might be exactly what you need to fall in love with coffee all over again. Here are three of my favorite ways to make a delicious cup of hot coffee. French Press The French press has gotten popular over the past few years because you can also use it to froth milk (hello, at-home latte!). I love French presses because they deliver a much richer, more flavorful cup of coffee than a drip...

coffee brew methods

Family Dinners: Seasonal Recipes Grown-ups and Little Ones Will Eat Up

Nicole Hopkins

May 26, 2021

Nutrition

If they're available to you, opting for fresh, in-season fruits and veggies is a great way to add some variety to your usual meal rotation. Below, I've rounded up five delicious recipes that the whole family will love, and each one utilizes fresh spring produce! Australia’s Best Recipes Chicken Avocado Fettuccine Even little ones will love this dish! Fresh avocados lend a silky, creamy texture to the pasta sauce, and the seasoned chicken on top offers your family some healthy proteins. The recipe calls for pine nuts, which I love (who doesn't enjoy a little crunch with their creamy?), but if your kids aren't a fan, you can always serve them in a dish on the side so that everyone can add exactly the right amount. Betty...

recipes

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