Seems you all are just as amped as I am to see FFF hit 1000 posts. Or you want to get your grubby little hands on some NuNaturals Stevia. Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Besides getting pumped for such a fabulous giveaway for all of you, today has been a pretty good one. I’ve been quick and effective today. Just how I like it.

I started my day off at the gym because it always gets my day going on a positive note. Lately, I have been splitting up my Thursday run and full body weights workout by doing a Group Power class in the morning and heading out for a run in the afternoon. But that had to change for today. Peter wouldn’t be able to watch the kids for me to run outdoors this afternoon, so that meant some quality time with the dreadmill treadmill.

I couldn’t swing having Braedon and Makenzie in the gym childcare for long enough to do my 3 miles on the treadmill and hit up Group Power class. I had to make a game time decision on which workout to do at the gym. With half marathon training, the run won out. I reasoned that I would do a Physique 57 DVD during their naps this afternoon to get in some weights instead.

In my gut, though, I knew the DVD wouldn’t happen. It’s hard for me to stay motivated for afternoon workouts enough as it is. But to have to stay motivated for a workout and give up quality productivity time during their naps? That was a recipe for workout skippage no doubt!

Good thing I stumbled across this gem in the September issue of Fitness magazine I flipped through during my cool down on the treadmill.

Sweat drops on the page = sign of a GREAT workout!

It must have been fate! An express workout with “kettlebell blasters” for the lower body and abs sounded like the perfect fix to get in my strength training for the day.

It did just as promised. In 15 minutes I felt like I had worked every inch of my body for twice as long. Kettlebells really are so awesome for a quick and effective total body workout. And now I have a few more moves to tuck away for future workouts.

Thanks, Fitness Magazine for keeping me from skipping out on my weights today!

You can check out the full Kettlebell Express Workout on Fitness’ website too!

The quick and effective trend of the day kept on going with lunch. I had no desire to put much thought into making anything, so I turned to the trusty snack plate again.

Thank goodness I think to pre-chop some raw veggies for easy grab and go options during the week. It really does get me to eat so many more vegetables.

Today’s snack plate featured carrot sticks, “cucumber moons” (as M calls them), apple slices, a slice of nutty whole wheat bread with peanut butter, and a container of pineapple Chobani.

You know what just hit me. I cut up veggies for the week but I never pre-chop my fruit. Which is odd because I hate taking the time to slice things but a lot of my fruit I much prefer sliced over whole (apples and strawberries for example). I guess I just love fruit enough to give it that extra tender loving care chopping. Plus, fruit gets a blah texture really fast in my opinion if you don’t chop it just before eating. No room for mushy brown apples here!

And in the name of being quick and effective, I will leave you all here. See you in the morning! When it’s FRIIIDAAAAYYYY!!!

• What things add up to a recipe for skipping out on your workouts?
• Do you pre-chop your veggies? Any fruits?

Hello, friends! Boy do I have some good news for you this afternoon. FFF has reached 1000 posts! Pretty crazy to think about, huh? I think I need to give a warm thanks to you for reading and making this space a home. How about a special giveaway for multiple readers?!

And if you’re just now finding your way to this blog thanks to this giveaway, please take a look around - I recommend my About and Favorites pages. Then, chill for awhile as I love making new blog friends.

So, about that giveaway…

You may have noticed that a certain ingredient has popped up in quite a few recipes I have done lately. That’s because I have been taste testing my way through a wide variety of NuNaturals stevia products! Say hello to my little friends…

I received an assortment of their quality products for review, including all of the following:

• Vanilla Stevia Liquid Drops
• Cocoa Bean Extract Stevia Liquid Drops
• Alcohol Free Stevia Liquid Drops
• Clear Stevia Liquid Drops

• NuStevia Quick Dissolve Tabs
• NuStevia Pure Stevia Extract
• More Fiber Stevia Baking Blend

And I have tested them out in a large number of ways.

I have used the More Fiber Stevia Baking Blend in a few recipes you may recognize.

Fresh Peach Muffins

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

I really loved this blend because it not only cuts down on the use of sugar, but it also adds fiber…without any effects to the recipe’s taste or texture. I could hardly believe how well the stuff worked in these recipes.

NuNaturals Alcohol Free Liquid Stevia also made an appearance in the dressing for my Three Bean and Feta Salad.

And, yet again, no one would be the wiser that this didn’t use your standard sugar to add that touch of sweetness with the vinegar’s bite.

Beyond using NuNaturals in a few recipes, I have also used it daily in both my oatmeal and my coffee. Before, I would always use a splash of sugar-free maple syrup to give my oats a little extra flavor and sweetness. Now? The vanilla and cocoa liquid stevia drops work wonders in my favorite breakfast. A few drops go a long way. I have literally used one or the other every day for almost a month and there is barely a dent in them.

The Clear Stevia drops or NuStevia Quick Dissolve Tabs have been my go-to way of sweetening up my morning iced coffee as well. I like the clear stevia drops best, but the tablets do a good job too.

The only complaint I had from any of these products was that the Pure White Stevia Extract had a slightly stronger aftertaste compared to the liquid stevia. All in all, I thoroughly enjoy using NuNaturals and cannot wait to give you the chance to try some for yourself!

Good thing Ron from NuNaturals has so very kindly allowed me to host a giveaway to show my love and appreciation of you all!

FOUR WINNERS will each receive one box of the NuStevia Packets (50 ct. Box) AND one bottle of the NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia Liquid (2 oz. bottle).

You have three ways to enter. Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry:

• Comment telling me how you would use your Nunaturals products.
• Twitter lovers: Tweet the following – “ I’m trying to win @NuNaturals goodies from @TinaFFF ! Enter for your chance to win - http://bit.ly/mPBTd7 “
• Facebook lovers: Support FFF on Facebook. Let me know if you did or already do.

This contest is open to US residents only. No P.O. Box addresses, please. Giveaway will end at 12 pm EST Thursday September 15 and I will announce the winners on Friday.

And good news! If you don’t want to wait for a giveaway (or have luck like I do), you can go ahead and get your hands on some NuNaturals the following ways:

1) Continental U.S. readers can receive FREE SAMPLES of the NuStevia Packets by sending a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED, # 10 envelope to the following location :

NuNaturals, INC
2220 West 2nd Ave. # 1
Eugene, OR  97402

2) Receive SPECIAL DISCOUNTS on all future orders available through www.nunaturals.com. Enter the code BLG930 to receive 15% off your total order. You will also receive free shipping in the Continental US with orders over $35. Offer expires SEPTEMBER 30, 2011.

Time to get cracking on those entries. You want to win the Vanilla Stevia Liquid. It’s like liquid gold, people! Cross your fingers you win!

Disclaimer: I received these NuNaturals products free for review. All opinions expressed are my own, honest thoughts.