To Eat Vs Not To Eat Before a Workout
So now that you are finally getting used to exercising and have begun to schedule your workouts, you may be wondering, should I eat before I exercise or not? While I may be consistent in getting my daily workouts in, I am not consistent in what time of day I exercise. Sometimes I exercise in the morning and at other times, I don't get my workout in until 6 PM. I don't think the time of day matters when it comes to exercise as you get it done when you can. For some people, like me most of the time, they like to exercise first thing in the morning while others prefer their fitness time in the evening. My husband is an after-work fitness person so I will gladly delay my workout until the evening so I can meet him at the gym a couple days a week. Or I will workout in the morning, as I love the brain charge, and then lift weights when I go to the gym in the evening.
To eat or not to eat before a workout?
This week I read two different studies that both focused on whether food is important or not important before a workout session. One article was about how a high-carb meal 20 minutes before a workout can increase performance and the other was about how not eating before a workout can help you burn more fat. So that got me thinking about which article is right. I then began to think about my workout style and how both articles had some valid points. I also decided to put the food question into practice in both my morning and evening workout sessions.
Do you eat before your morning workout?
I generally do not eat anything before I go running in the morning as I want to get my workout done shortly after I wake up. So I don't eat anything as that means that I have to wait 20-30 minutes for my food to digest. I find working out with food in my stomach slows me down and makes me feel sluggish. During that time, I might get busy on the computer and then put my workout on hold until later in the morning. So my thinking is to get up and get out the door before I change my mind on working out. So when I workout first thing in the morning, I just drink a natural energy drink that has about 50 mg of caffeine, so that is usually a half of a can. I find that the caffeine and carbohydrates give me quick energy so I can get a great workout in. I feel lighter when I workout on an empty stomach and I don't experience any stomach problems. I usually run for about 40 minutes and find that the energy drink is all I need for this workout. If I try to work out for longer than 40 minutes, I find that I start to get light-headed. I discovered this after I went running and then went to the gym to do my weight lifting exercises. Ten minutes into my workout, I was feeling like I was going to faint.
Does no eating before a workout help me burn more fat?
I am not sure about the fat-burning benefits of not eating before a workout. This past summer, I did all my running in the morning without food hoping to burn off that stubborn belly fat. My stomach did not change one bit. What did happen after my morning workouts was some amazing brain power and I discovered that I was more efficient with my work for the day. I was able to think better after did my exercise. I also discovered that I was hungry after a workout without eating beforehand. So I made sure to have my plant-based protein smoothie waiting for me when I was done working out. That way I was able to satisfy my hunger for several hours and not reach for any junk food snacks. If I did not consume my Keto plant-based protein shake soon after my exercise, I found myself eating unhealthy snacks.
Does eating before a workout give me more energy?
When I workout in the evening with my husband at the gym, I always try to eat a healthy snack that contains some carbs and protein about 30-60 minutes before I workout. I find this easy to do as my boys come home from school around this time. So I have a healthy snack with my boys 60 minutes before I workout at the gym. This healthy snack gives me the energy to work out for 45 minutes on the elliptical machine and lift weights for 30 minutes. I also am not starving when I get home and I do not find myself senseless snacking while fixing dinner. My husband, on the other hand, does not eat before his gym workout and reaches for unhealthy snacks when we get home from the gym. I keep telling my husband to pack extra fruit in his lunch so he can eat the fruit while he is on the bus on the way to the gym.
Food equals energy
I am huge into telling my boys that they need to eat before they go to school. I have one child that is not hungry in the morning and if given a choice would go to school on an empty stomach. Well, this mom will not allow that as I know that no energy will affect his concentration at school. So I tell my son to eat something in the morning, like a granola bar, and grab some grapes to eat while on the school bus. I like to use the example of trying to start a car that has no gas or turn on a light without electricity. When my boys make poor choices with food, I use the example of giving a car bad gasoline and that helps them to see why they need to eat healthy foods like fruits and veggies.
The best time to workout
I don't think there really is an ideal time to exercise as everyone has different schedules. Some people may find that different times of the day work best for their fitness plan. You may like working out first thing in the morning as you are a morning person or you know that once the day begins, things can get busy and it is hard to make time for that fast walk. You may be like my husband who does not like to exercise but knows that exercise is good for a healthy heart so you head to the gym after work. You may be the person who loves the benefits of exercise to reduce stress so you take power walks in the middle of the day or you may be a person, like a mom, who has a hard time fitting in exercise so you exercise when you are able to. Busy moms should check out these Workout Tips For Stay At Home Moms as even moms need to exercise. If your day is flexible like mine, then you can choose the best time to work out according to your workload. Anytime is a great time to exercise as long as you make time for fitness in your week. When my husband realized that he could reduce his high blood pressure with exercise instead of medicine with side effects, I told him to strive for three days of exercise a week for 30 minutes a session. That amount of exercise has helped his blood pressure stay in a healthy range. A couple of weeks ago when my husband was way too busy with work and he was not able to exercise, his blood pressure started to go up. So the point is our bodies need exercise to be healthy and there are many ways to get that body moving.
A weird reason made me an afternoon workout person
I used to wait until the afternoon to workout and it was simply for a weird reason. I liked the convenience of working out in the morning but got frustrated with working out in the morning because of my need to be close to a bathroom. I would start running or fast walking and halfway into my exercise, I would have an urgency to use the bathroom to empty my bowels. I know this may be a TMI thing but I think we have all experienced the need to do number 2 and the urgency to find a bathroom. The problem was always there was never a potty nearby so I had to end my running and walk a weird slow walk home so I would not mess my pants. So that is why I waited until the afternoon to exercise so by that time, I would have already gone #2 with the help of several cups of coffee.
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The best foods to eat before exercise
When it comes to eating before exercise, there really is no one perfect food. Food that has healthy carbohydrates seem to work best for energy. If you follow the keto diet than I also think that a light meal or snack at least 20 minutes before you are planning to exercise is also best as it takes energy for your body to digest food. If you eat right before a workout session that energy may be going to your digestion and not to your workout. Having food in your stomach when running or exercising may also give you stomach cramps. So strive for a light meal 20 minutes or more before you want to get some fitness in. If you just ate a big dinner, it may be best to wait an hour or more to avoid stomach distress. Some foods that I like to eat before I workout are whole-grain crackers, fruit, a protein shake, trail mix, and a hand full of granola. Think lasting energy when you want to work out for longer than 30 minutes. Whole grains and healthy carbs are good. For shorter workouts, the quick energy from sugar and caffeine is ok. I personly like a bit of caffeine before I workout as it gives me the energy for my fast runs that I enjoy.
It is really a matter of choice
I think it may matter to some extent whether you eat or don't eat before a workout. If you like working out on an empty stomach, then do so but try to eat soon after your workout so you don't get too hungry that you end up overeating and making unhealthy food choices. If you like to eat before a workout, make sure to give your body time to digest the food so you don't end up with stomach problems. There may be small benefits to either way but the larger benefit is getting the fitness in. As fitness has many benefits to your body beyond making you feel great. Fitness can give you energy and help with stress. Fitness can charge your brain so you can think better. Fitness is good for your overall health and is good for your heart. Fitness may prevent so many diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, obesity, and many more. Our bodies are made to move. So whether you eat or don't eat doesn't matter, just get some healthy exercise into your day.
Are you a eat or no eat exercise person?
Are you a eat or no eat exercise person?
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11 Best Ways To Avoid Winter Blues and Weight Gain
Winter makes me want to hibernate. The lack of sunshine and the cold weather just does a number on my mood. Discover tips to help one cope with the winter blues.
4. Eat a healthy breakfast that has protein and fiber
7. Get daily exercise
Exercise is so beneficial to your body for so many reasons. So stop thinking of exercise as a way to lose weight and stop making excuses. Exercise is great for a healthy heart and also for the mind. My new mindset for getting my exercise done first thing in the day is how exercise helps my brain. I remember from the past summer how after I exercised in the morning, I was able to accomplish so much more with work. So exercise is my brain thinker! Exercise can also do wonders for your mood and might be able to help with depression so it makes sense to me to do it first thing in the morning. I am challenging myself this month to wake up and head to the gym at least three days a week. On days that my husband has the car, I will exercise inside even if that means blasting the music and dancing.
Exercise also helps your body be able to fight off those winter germs. If you are a stay at home parent check The Best Workout Tips For Stay At Home Moms. If you have a busy life then there are ways to sneak in some exercise when you are busy. I know you are thinking that you hate exercise and it is so boring but there are so many ways to exercise. It might be hard to wake up early to exercise and it is perfectly fine to exercise any time of day. I love it when I do get my butt out of bed for morning exercise as I got it done and it is out of my mind for the day.
8. Swap out the sugar in your coffee to save calories
If you are looking to reduce your sugar intake or cut some calories from your diet, try a new organic natural 0 calorie sweetener. Stevita Naturals is a delicious stevia sweetener that does not have a bitter aftertaste. This indulgent sugar-free sweetener has no artificial ingredients and is made from natural non-gmo ingredients. Since this vegan, gluten-free sweetener is 4x sweeter than sugar, you will use less so a small package lasts a long time. The best part is it tastes like sugar. I even bake with this organic sweetener so my baked goods have way less sugar in them. My favorite Stevita product is their natural toffee liquid drops. I love that I can add the taste of toffee to my coffee without adding any dairy to my drink.
9. Try a new coffee
A warm drink on a cold day always helps my mood. Holding a warm mug of coffee also makes me feel warmer on a cold day. So fill your coffee cup with a different coffee.
THINKNOO’s Zen Keto is a premium coffee with MCT (medium-chain triglyceride – a healthy fat derived from coconut oil) powder and CBD in a ready-to-use sachet. Usually, these ingredients are found in oil form which is not a viable option for people on-the-go. The two products involve no mixing, muss or fuss, and just deliver delicious and nutritious coffee in an instant that helps sustain energy and brain function throughout the day. For a non-CBD version, Fat Mocha is a perfect choice! This coffee has a creamy taste without any dairy and is vegan. With 0 grams of sugar, 2 grams of dietary fiber and just 1% of the daily recommended carb allowance, they are also keto-friendly. THINKNOO is a smarter, healthier coffee
10. Change your hair color with a safer hair color
This photo was taken a couple months ago while the weather was still warm but it is amazing how a new look can make you feel when you are down in the blues. So make an appointment to get your hair done or even a facial can change your mood. An amazing mood lifter would be a day at a spa or even a soak in the hot tub at the gym.
Winter is also a good time to change your hair color or freshen up your current color. I discovered healthier hair color and now I can feel better about coloring my hair. Those white hairs are starting to show up now that I am over 50 and this vegan-friendly hair color uses naturally derived ingredients that are produced and sourced ethically to be better for the environment. Tints of Nature leaves out harsh ingredients, like synthetic nasties such as ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, and sulfates. This cruelty-free hair color still leaves you gorgeously healthy, with long-lasting, beautiful color! I like that this safer hair color does not irritate my scalp and since it has no harsh chemicals in it, it does not aggravate my asthma. If you feel the need to color your hair, using one with fewer chemicals is better for your health.
11. Play some music
Music has the power to lift your mood and make you feel good. I know the power of music when I exercise. Certain songs on my iPod just motivate me to run faster. So turn on the music when you wake up or in the car as you drive to work. Find some positive upbeat songs when your mood is in the dumps or blues and it may just make you feel good. Fast energetic music might even help you get some exercise in. Even 5 minutes of exercise is good for your body. So crank up your favorite music and crank up your mood.
I hope that these healthy tips can make the cold dreary winter a bit better and healthier. If your mood is not blue or depressed, you make be able to make healthier choices. That is return may be the thing to keep you from gaining extra pounds this winter. So try some of these tips and avoid the winter blues and weight gain.
Since writing this article about a week ago, I have been doing more of these tips and I have been doing better with my winter blues. The one thing that I have been getting better at is exercising first thing in the morning. I have been even getting outside for walks. I lay my clothes out the night before and get dressed in my workout clothes when I wake up. I then walk with my boys to their bus stop and continue with my walk. I have found that a morning walk has helped lift my spirits until night when it gets dark and then I go to not want to do anything. On days that it was wet from the rain and an unexpected snowstorm, I went to the gym. Sure it helped that the sun was bright on those days. Yesterday it was raining out and it was dreary. I did force myself to go to the gym and that helped a bit with my sadness but I had trouble getting things done. So I allowed myself to be lazy for a couple of hours knowing that the sun will come out tomorrow. Winter depression is real. So be kind to yourself or someone who suffers and try some of these tips.
Do you suffer from the winter blues?
This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I received samples of the mentioned products to facilitate this post.
I dread the start of winter and the colder weather. This, for me, can lead to some unhealthy habits which can make me not want to do the things that I need to do for a healthy body. My whole body just seems out of sync as many of the healthy habits that I have done in the summer and now so much harder for me to do in the cold winter. I find myself making excuses and tend to blame the cold weather for my lack of motivation to do things that make my body feel good. I sure do miss the warm weather.
Many of the healthy things that I felt so proud of doing are now put on the back burner and every day it seems like a struggle to convince myself that doing these things will make me feel good. It seems like the cold dreary days put my body in slow motion and I get less done. The days seem shorter as it gets darker earlier in the day. I also feel like I have less energy and just want to stay in bed all day or wrapped in a blanket on the couch. The darker winter days also bring on seasonal depression. So it takes more of that pep talk to get things done. After allowing myself to get used to the change of season and realizing that winter is here to stay, I start practicing some things that help me to get back on the healthy track so I won't start packing on the winter pounds. Here are some healthy habits that I will be trying to follow this winter. Many of these healthy habits can also help lift your mood to make this time better for your mood and can help you survive the cold dreary winter. I also find when I am not depressed, I take better care of my body and I avoid the winter weight gain.
1. Start your morning with light
I always find it hard to get out of bed in the winter. The house is cold and dark so I just want to stay in bed. To help my body get up in the morning, I use my programmable thermostat to have the heat come on thirty minutes before I want to get up. It is always easier to get out of bed when the house is not cold. I also have my husband open up the curtains when he wakes up. My husband wakes up an hour before me and I am glad for the open curtains that let the sunlight in. If you do not have someone to open the curtains then a Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Sunrise Simulation is what you need. Once you get out of bed, then turn on the lights so your room is brighter. Light just has a way of waking your body up.
2. Get moving
In the winter I tend to put off my exercise until later in the day when it is warmer out. By doing this it seems like my brain does not wake up and that makes it hard for me to get things like writing done. I remember how great I felt in the summer when I went running first thing in the morning and how much easier it was to get work done. It can be hard for some people to exercise in the cold as the cold air makes it hard for them to breathe. I have asthma and my lungs just don't like the cold air. So if you have a gym membership, exercising in the morning can make you feel healthier and help you stick with healthy habits. If you can't get to the gym or workout outside, just 5 minutes of movement like dancing or marching can help your body feel amazing. I try to march in place while my Ninja blender is mixing up my protein smoothie.
3. Drink plenty of water
I like to start my day with a glass of water as it helps to wake up my body. That glass of water is a healthy habit that is good for your body. Then I fill up my favorite large 32-ounce water bottle with water and place that by my desk so I will remember to drink water. Most people do not drink enough water and should be drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day. Sometimes we feel tired or hungry when our body is dehydrated and needs water. I find that having a large bottle of water near me encourages me to drink more water and I try to drink one 32 ounce water bottle by the afternoon. Then I fill it back up and try to drink that water bottle by bedtime. If you have a hard time drinking water, try adding fresh fruit like lemon and strawberry slices to it for some delicious fruit flavor.
4. Eat a healthy breakfast that has protein and fiber
I find that starting my day with a healthy breakfast not only fills me up but gives me energy. A healthy breakfast also starts my body on the healthy track and I make better food choices for the rest of the day. My usual healthy breakfast is a vegan protein smoothie that I make with a clean plant-based protein powder and a cup of fruit. I also add some superfoods to my protein smoothie for added nutrition and fiber benefits. I find that adding two tablespoons of chia seed to my smoothie helps me avoid constipation and get my potty business done before I head to work. If you are not a fan of chia seeds then try adding a prebiotic fiber supplement to your coffee or a glass of water to help your body to poop. When I travel I always take my Regular Girl fiber supplement with me since I don't have my usual smoothie for breakfast. I love that Regular Girl is tasteless and so easy to use as I hate the discomfort of being constipated.
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5. Soak up the sun
There is something about the sun that can make you feel good. I find that on dreary days, I just feel down and depressed. So make sure you get your daily dose of sunshine. Open up the blinds and curtains and let the sun into your house. This will not only help your mood but it will help heat up the house so you can save money on your heating bill. To get even more mood-lifting from the sun, try to get outside for 30 minutes. This is a great time for some healthy exercise so take a walk and let your body absorb some vitamin D from the sun. In the winter I also take a vitamin D supplement as the cold keeps me inside way too many days. If you live in an area that is dreary most of the winter, try using a light therapy lamp as these can stimulate the positive effects of the sun and brighten your mood. A light therapy lamp is a must for those who have seasonal depression.
6. Get plenty of sleep
Our body needs sleep and I think that God designed them to get more in the winter. Think about long ago when there was no electricity or lamps. There are fewer sunlight hours in the winter than the summer so uses that as an excuse to go to bed early. When I don't get enough sleep, I course feel tired and my mind can't seem to function. Add this to an already depressed that it is winter body and it is bad news. So try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. I am trying to go to bed earlier so I can start my day once the sun comes out. That way I can take advantage of all the sunlight hours. If you have trouble falling asleep you need to check out these 12 tips to get a better night of sleep. Lately, I have been using CBD oil to help me fall asleep faster. I take this natural, non-habit-forming supplement 10 minutes before I want to fall asleep and I don't have any trouble falling asleep. CBD oil is one of my favorite healthy supplements that also gives me awesome pain relief. I even give it to my kids. The other day my son had a headache so I gave him a CBD gummie and within 15 minutes, his head was feeling better.
There is something about the sun that can make you feel good. I find that on dreary days, I just feel down and depressed. So make sure you get your daily dose of sunshine. Open up the blinds and curtains and let the sun into your house. This will not only help your mood but it will help heat up the house so you can save money on your heating bill. To get even more mood-lifting from the sun, try to get outside for 30 minutes. This is a great time for some healthy exercise so take a walk and let your body absorb some vitamin D from the sun. In the winter I also take a vitamin D supplement as the cold keeps me inside way too many days. If you live in an area that is dreary most of the winter, try using a light therapy lamp as these can stimulate the positive effects of the sun and brighten your mood. A light therapy lamp is a must for those who have seasonal depression.
6. Get plenty of sleep
Our body needs sleep and I think that God designed them to get more in the winter. Think about long ago when there was no electricity or lamps. There are fewer sunlight hours in the winter than the summer so uses that as an excuse to go to bed early. When I don't get enough sleep, I course feel tired and my mind can't seem to function. Add this to an already depressed that it is winter body and it is bad news. So try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. I am trying to go to bed earlier so I can start my day once the sun comes out. That way I can take advantage of all the sunlight hours. If you have trouble falling asleep you need to check out these 12 tips to get a better night of sleep. Lately, I have been using CBD oil to help me fall asleep faster. I take this natural, non-habit-forming supplement 10 minutes before I want to fall asleep and I don't have any trouble falling asleep. CBD oil is one of my favorite healthy supplements that also gives me awesome pain relief. I even give it to my kids. The other day my son had a headache so I gave him a CBD gummie and within 15 minutes, his head was feeling better.
7. Get daily exercise
Exercise is so beneficial to your body for so many reasons. So stop thinking of exercise as a way to lose weight and stop making excuses. Exercise is great for a healthy heart and also for the mind. My new mindset for getting my exercise done first thing in the day is how exercise helps my brain. I remember from the past summer how after I exercised in the morning, I was able to accomplish so much more with work. So exercise is my brain thinker! Exercise can also do wonders for your mood and might be able to help with depression so it makes sense to me to do it first thing in the morning. I am challenging myself this month to wake up and head to the gym at least three days a week. On days that my husband has the car, I will exercise inside even if that means blasting the music and dancing.
Exercise also helps your body be able to fight off those winter germs. If you are a stay at home parent check The Best Workout Tips For Stay At Home Moms. If you have a busy life then there are ways to sneak in some exercise when you are busy. I know you are thinking that you hate exercise and it is so boring but there are so many ways to exercise. It might be hard to wake up early to exercise and it is perfectly fine to exercise any time of day. I love it when I do get my butt out of bed for morning exercise as I got it done and it is out of my mind for the day.
8. Swap out the sugar in your coffee to save calories
If you are looking to reduce your sugar intake or cut some calories from your diet, try a new organic natural 0 calorie sweetener. Stevita Naturals is a delicious stevia sweetener that does not have a bitter aftertaste. This indulgent sugar-free sweetener has no artificial ingredients and is made from natural non-gmo ingredients. Since this vegan, gluten-free sweetener is 4x sweeter than sugar, you will use less so a small package lasts a long time. The best part is it tastes like sugar. I even bake with this organic sweetener so my baked goods have way less sugar in them. My favorite Stevita product is their natural toffee liquid drops. I love that I can add the taste of toffee to my coffee without adding any dairy to my drink.
9. Try a new coffee
A warm drink on a cold day always helps my mood. Holding a warm mug of coffee also makes me feel warmer on a cold day. So fill your coffee cup with a different coffee.
THINKNOO’s Zen Keto is a premium coffee with MCT (medium-chain triglyceride – a healthy fat derived from coconut oil) powder and CBD in a ready-to-use sachet. Usually, these ingredients are found in oil form which is not a viable option for people on-the-go. The two products involve no mixing, muss or fuss, and just deliver delicious and nutritious coffee in an instant that helps sustain energy and brain function throughout the day. For a non-CBD version, Fat Mocha is a perfect choice! This coffee has a creamy taste without any dairy and is vegan. With 0 grams of sugar, 2 grams of dietary fiber and just 1% of the daily recommended carb allowance, they are also keto-friendly. THINKNOO is a smarter, healthier coffee
10. Change your hair color with a safer hair color
This photo was taken a couple months ago while the weather was still warm but it is amazing how a new look can make you feel when you are down in the blues. So make an appointment to get your hair done or even a facial can change your mood. An amazing mood lifter would be a day at a spa or even a soak in the hot tub at the gym.
Winter is also a good time to change your hair color or freshen up your current color. I discovered healthier hair color and now I can feel better about coloring my hair. Those white hairs are starting to show up now that I am over 50 and this vegan-friendly hair color uses naturally derived ingredients that are produced and sourced ethically to be better for the environment. Tints of Nature leaves out harsh ingredients, like synthetic nasties such as ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, and sulfates. This cruelty-free hair color still leaves you gorgeously healthy, with long-lasting, beautiful color! I like that this safer hair color does not irritate my scalp and since it has no harsh chemicals in it, it does not aggravate my asthma. If you feel the need to color your hair, using one with fewer chemicals is better for your health.
11. Play some music
Music has the power to lift your mood and make you feel good. I know the power of music when I exercise. Certain songs on my iPod just motivate me to run faster. So turn on the music when you wake up or in the car as you drive to work. Find some positive upbeat songs when your mood is in the dumps or blues and it may just make you feel good. Fast energetic music might even help you get some exercise in. Even 5 minutes of exercise is good for your body. So crank up your favorite music and crank up your mood.
I hope that these healthy tips can make the cold dreary winter a bit better and healthier. If your mood is not blue or depressed, you make be able to make healthier choices. That is return may be the thing to keep you from gaining extra pounds this winter. So try some of these tips and avoid the winter blues and weight gain.
Since writing this article about a week ago, I have been doing more of these tips and I have been doing better with my winter blues. The one thing that I have been getting better at is exercising first thing in the morning. I have been even getting outside for walks. I lay my clothes out the night before and get dressed in my workout clothes when I wake up. I then walk with my boys to their bus stop and continue with my walk. I have found that a morning walk has helped lift my spirits until night when it gets dark and then I go to not want to do anything. On days that it was wet from the rain and an unexpected snowstorm, I went to the gym. Sure it helped that the sun was bright on those days. Yesterday it was raining out and it was dreary. I did force myself to go to the gym and that helped a bit with my sadness but I had trouble getting things done. So I allowed myself to be lazy for a couple of hours knowing that the sun will come out tomorrow. Winter depression is real. So be kind to yourself or someone who suffers and try some of these tips.
Do you suffer from the winter blues?
Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 Helps Me Up My Photography Skills
The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
It is hard to believe that I have been blogging for eight years. It is more amazing that I am able to stay home with my kids and have a job that I enjoy. Well, most of the time I enjoy my job as a blogger. Like any job, there are parts of creating my website that I do not enjoy. I enjoy the writing part, discovering new products, and taking photos. I also enjoy creating videos of product reviews for my website. The part of my work that I do not enjoy is photo and video editing. Editing photos and videos can be confusing and hard to learn. It also can be time-consuming.
So when I discovered Adobe Premiere Elements 2020, I was one happy blogger. I was happy to discover an amazing video-editing software that could help me with my photos and videos. I was happy to discover a software program that could take my photography from basic to amazing. I knew that I needed help with my video editing and I was ready for Adobe Premiere Elements to help me take my website to the next step. I needed help with my movie creations that I make for my website and Youtube videos and I knew that this video editing program could take away my frustrations and make this job less time-consuming.
Easy to use program
Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 was easy to download onto my computer. Once I set up the software program, I was ready for the fun to begin. Right away I noticed that the Adobe program offered me many suggestions on things that I could do with my videos. I liked when I clicked on a video creation suggestion that it brought me to a page that had a step by step learning guide. This teaching guide also had plenty of pictures which made it easier for me to learn how to make things like slideshows, adding music to my videos, and even adding floating clouds in the background of one of my videos. I really liked all the options of the special effects that made my videos special.
Fix mistakes in your videos
Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 even fixed the many mistakes in my videos like improve grainy low-light clips with the Reduce Noise effect. I could also correct things like color, shake reduction, temperature, and more. I could easily trim my videos and take out the parts that I did not need. I really liked that I could even combine videos together and they seamlessly flowed into on movie clip. The tool section even had things like Freeze Frame and a tool that allowed me to speed up or slow down sections of my videos.
So many cool video effects
The Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 had some awesome effects that I could add to my videos. With the help of guided edits, I could make time-lapse videos, animate skies in photos and more. I loved that I could highlight memorable moments with beautiful effects, slideshows, and collages powered by the Adobe Sensei AI technology. This amazing program helped me turn my videos into amazing movies and fun creations that I was proud to display on my website and upload onto YouTube or Vimeo. I could also burn my new videos to a DVD, and send them to my HDTV. Once I got the hang of how to use the program, everything was at my fingertips to make my videos into movies with effects and even text.
Compatible with many operating systems and platforms
The Adobe video conversion software program is ready to download on most computer platforms like Mac and Windows. It is made for operating systems from Windows 10, Windows 8 to macOS 10.13, macOS 10.15, macOS and Mojave 10.14. The Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 also has Automatic Editing Options and many editing types such as Color Correction, Effects, Filters, Image, Text and more. I like that it runs fast on my home screen and helps me discover fun things, find inspiring ideas, learn quickly with tutorials.
Order fun gifts and prints
This amazing photo studio and video creator even allows you to order fun gifts and prints with your awesome creations. Now that you have learned how to transform your videos and photos into works of art, you can make some fun gifts like phone cases, photo calendars, photo books, DVDs, greeting cards, and more. The Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 makes it so easy with the Editor Workshop. So you can send grandma an instant movie that she will enjoy watching. When you combine the Adobe Photoshop Elements with the Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 you can make your mom a cool coffee mug with pictures of the kids.
Check out some of my photo and video creations
After exploring the Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 software program, I had fun playing around with it. I took some old photos and videos and put the edits, effects, and I tried adding animated clouds to photos. I took an old video that I made at the gym of my exercising and made some edits and corrections. I was able to fix the low light and add some music to it. So now I have a video that I am proud to share with my readers and fans on Facebook. The best part is the Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 formated the new video clip to my website so I no longer have to upload it on Youtube and embedded it onto my website. Check out the old video and the new improved video. I am still learning how to make edits and add effects but I am amazed at what I was able to do with this unique video editing software program.
My old long video with background noise and bad light
The new shorter video with light corrections and music
Highlights of the Adobe Premiere Elements 2020
Highlight memorable moments with beautiful effects, slideshows, and collages powered by the Adobe Sensei AI technology
Discover fun things, find inspiring ideas, learn quickly with tutorials.
Improve grainy low-light clips with the Reduce Noise effect
Make time-lapse videos, animate skies in photos and more with the help of Guided Edits
Bring together, and customize the best scenes based on the style of your video with Smart Trim
Easily make movies in the Quick Edit mode, and put your clips, transitions, text, effects and more with Sceneline
Find videos as effortlessly as photos with the Adobe Sensei-powered smart tags and automatic people recognition
Create bounce-back and animated sky GIFs to simply share on social media
Upload your creations to YouTube or Vimeo, burn DVD, and send them to your HDTV
Are you ready to up your video creation skills?
The Best Sugar Free Vegan Cinnamon Rolls With a Pretzel Topping
A sweet cinnamon roll recipe with a crunchy pretzel topping
Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.
My family has many holiday traditions that we enjoy at Christmas time and a lot of them have to do with holiday baking. I enjoy baking and my family enjoys eating all the holiday goodies. They know that my homemade treats taste way better than store-bought. One holiday tradition is having cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. There is nothing better than a gooey homemade cinnamon roll with a cup of coffee for a special holiday breakfast. Sure you can buy those cinnamon rolls in the can and bake them but they just don't taste as good as my homemade cinnamon rolls. One year life was super busy and I did not have time to make my delicious homemade cinnamon rolls so I bought a package of ready-made cinnamon rolls from the store and my family did not like the texture or the taste. My teenage son asked me the next day if he could make my recipe for cinnamon rolls. I happily agreed as he knows how to bake awesome cookies.
I need to bake dairy-free recipes
Since discovering a year ago that a dairy allergy was the cause of my out of control asthma, I have to change the way I bake. Now all the ingredients that I bake with have to be dairy-free so that means I need to use vegan or plant-based butter along with plant-based milk. I already was baking with almond milk as I thought that I had a lactose problem since regular milk always made me sick to my stomach. Since I was having to change the way that I bake, I decided to make my baked goods a bit healthier and reduce or eliminate the sugar in the sweets that I bake. That was a good idea as my youngest son has a problem with sugar. When my son eats too much sugar, he tends to get hyper and annoys his older brother. So when I make cookies, I swap out the sugar for a natural Stevia Sweetener that has a great sweet taste that is not bitter.
Using a natural Stevia Sweetener means fewer calories
I have discovered a new brand of stevia that combines the Ulta sweet taste of stevia with erythritol. Stevita Organic stevia blend is a perfectly crafted blend of stevia and erythritol that changed my mind about baking with stevia as it has no bitter taste. This organic zero-calorie sweetener has no carbs and is also vegan. Stevita has an indulgent taste that is 4X as sweet as sugar so that means I don't need much to make my holiday treats taste delicious. I like that it has no artificial ingredients. The best part is it looks like sugar, dissolves like sugar, and tastes like sugar so my family does not notice the difference when I bake with Stevita. One cup of sugar has 773 calories so swapping out the sugar in a recipe for Stevita means your recipe has fewer calories. That is awesome for those on a diet or looking to cut out sugar from their diet. Natural Stevita has no calories so using this delicious sweetener in your daily coffee can save you 48 calories per tablespoon of regular sugar. I love that this delicious sweetener is made from certified organic, fair-trade Brazillian stevia extract.
Stevita is a zero-calorie sweetener with no bitter taste
Making vegan cinnamon rolls is quite easy as you just have to switch out a couple of ingredients for plant-based ingredients. Those measurements usually stay the same in the recipes that I use. When I make my recipes sugar-free, the sweetener measurements can be tricky so I keep a handy Stevita conversion chart on my baking cabinet door. That way my cookies, cakes and sweet rolls don't become too sweet. Since Stevita is 4X as sweet as sugar, I only have to use 12 teaspoons of Stevita to one cup of sugar. So my package of Stevita spoonable lasts a long time. When I use this delicious stevia sweetener in my coffee, one 8 ounce package Stevita gives me 227 servings of sweetener!
The Stevita Conversion Chart makes baking with stevia so easy
Vegan homemade cinnamon rolls have a soft fluffy texture and the dough is so simple to make if you have a bread machine. If you don't own a bread machine a warm oven is all you need to help raise the dough. You can even raise the sweet dough in a warm place like a sunny window. The sweet dough is super easy to roll out. I use a cookie sheet as my guide when I roll out the dough.
Stevita Spoonable is so easy to use in recipes
My boys love to help me spread the melted vegan butter on the cinnamon roll dough. Then I let them sprinkle on the cinnamon topping. For the cinnamon topping, I simply mix 3 teaspoons of Stevita Spoonable with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Then the tender dough gets rolled up and sliced into circles of doughy goodness. The dough slices get placed into a greased baking pan.
An oven is a great place to let the dough rise
Sometimes I let the dough rise a second time but since I make the cinnamon rolls ahead of time on Christmas eve, I cover up the cinnamon dough slices and place the baking pan into the fridge overnight. Then when I wake up on Christmas morning, I remove the sweet roll dough from the fridge and let it rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. This warm place can be by a sunny window or in an oven with a dough proofing setting. If your oven doesn't have a dough proof setting, like my new oven, then simply turn place the dough into your oven. Then turn the oven on for a minute and turn it off. This will make the oven a warm place to raise the dough. After letting the dough rise for thirty minutes, bake the cinnamon rolls for 30 minutes.
The smell of cinnamon rolls baking is so delightful
While the cinnamon rolls are baking, this is a perfect time to make the sweet vanilla icing and crush the pretzels. I even make my vanilla icing dairy-free and sugar-free so it is low-glycemic and perfect for people with diabetes. My icing is also paleo-friendly. I bet you are wondering why I add crushed pretzels to my cinnamon rolls. The salty pretzels add a nice flavor with a bit of crunch. If you like white chocolate dipped pretzels, you will love this topping on your cinnamon rolls. Since I can not consume white chocolate, my vegan icing with pretzels is a great substitute.
Cinnamon rolls that are so soft and golden brown
Vegan cream cheese frosting made two ways
The vegan cream cheese frosting is so easy to make. You simply take a container of dairy-free plant-based plain cream cheese that is soft and creamy. So while the cinnamon rolls, take the cream cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Once the cream cheese is soft and spreadable, add 20 drops of Stevita Naturals Liquid Drops in your choice of flavor. The Liquid Drops add the perfect amount of sweet to the cream cheese. This cream cheese frosting is so creamy and spreads wonderfully on the warm cinnamon rolls. My favorite flavors are Vanilla Bliss or Toffee Caramel Love but this deliciously sweet liquid drops also comes in Strawberry Fields and unflavored. I love adding several drops of the liquid Strawberry Fields Drops to my tea for a delicious strawberry taste. The Vanilla Bliss and Toffee Caramel Stevita Liquid Drops make my coffee taste so delicious. The liquid drops are also very sweet so a little goes a long way. The liquid drops contain natural plant-based flavorings and are diabetic-friendly. The Stevita Naturals sweeteners help me reduce the amount of sugar that I eat and fit my natural plant-based diet. I love that these delicious sweeteners are made from certified organic, fair-trade Brazillian stevia extract.
If you liked this recipe, be sure to Pin It on Pinterest!
Get the delicious recipe here
My family has many holiday traditions that we enjoy at Christmas time and a lot of them have to do with holiday baking. I enjoy baking and my family enjoys eating all the holiday goodies. They know that my homemade treats taste way better than store-bought. One holiday tradition is having cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. There is nothing better than a gooey homemade cinnamon roll with a cup of coffee for a special holiday breakfast. Sure you can buy those cinnamon rolls in the can and bake them but they just don't taste as good as my homemade cinnamon rolls. One year life was super busy and I did not have time to make my delicious homemade cinnamon rolls so I bought a package of ready-made cinnamon rolls from the store and my family did not like the texture or the taste. My teenage son asked me the next day if he could make my recipe for cinnamon rolls. I happily agreed as he knows how to bake awesome cookies.
I need to bake dairy-free recipes
Since discovering a year ago that a dairy allergy was the cause of my out of control asthma, I have to change the way I bake. Now all the ingredients that I bake with have to be dairy-free so that means I need to use vegan or plant-based butter along with plant-based milk. I already was baking with almond milk as I thought that I had a lactose problem since regular milk always made me sick to my stomach. Since I was having to change the way that I bake, I decided to make my baked goods a bit healthier and reduce or eliminate the sugar in the sweets that I bake. That was a good idea as my youngest son has a problem with sugar. When my son eats too much sugar, he tends to get hyper and annoys his older brother. So when I make cookies, I swap out the sugar for a natural Stevia Sweetener that has a great sweet taste that is not bitter.
Using a natural Stevia Sweetener means fewer calories
I have discovered a new brand of stevia that combines the Ulta sweet taste of stevia with erythritol. Stevita Organic stevia blend is a perfectly crafted blend of stevia and erythritol that changed my mind about baking with stevia as it has no bitter taste. This organic zero-calorie sweetener has no carbs and is also vegan. Stevita has an indulgent taste that is 4X as sweet as sugar so that means I don't need much to make my holiday treats taste delicious. I like that it has no artificial ingredients. The best part is it looks like sugar, dissolves like sugar, and tastes like sugar so my family does not notice the difference when I bake with Stevita. One cup of sugar has 773 calories so swapping out the sugar in a recipe for Stevita means your recipe has fewer calories. That is awesome for those on a diet or looking to cut out sugar from their diet. Natural Stevita has no calories so using this delicious sweetener in your daily coffee can save you 48 calories per tablespoon of regular sugar. I love that this delicious sweetener is made from certified organic, fair-trade Brazillian stevia extract.
Stevita is a zero-calorie sweetener with no bitter taste
Making vegan cinnamon rolls is quite easy as you just have to switch out a couple of ingredients for plant-based ingredients. Those measurements usually stay the same in the recipes that I use. When I make my recipes sugar-free, the sweetener measurements can be tricky so I keep a handy Stevita conversion chart on my baking cabinet door. That way my cookies, cakes and sweet rolls don't become too sweet. Since Stevita is 4X as sweet as sugar, I only have to use 12 teaspoons of Stevita to one cup of sugar. So my package of Stevita spoonable lasts a long time. When I use this delicious stevia sweetener in my coffee, one 8 ounce package Stevita gives me 227 servings of sweetener!
The Stevita Conversion Chart makes baking with stevia so easy
Vegan homemade cinnamon rolls have a soft fluffy texture and the dough is so simple to make if you have a bread machine. If you don't own a bread machine a warm oven is all you need to help raise the dough. You can even raise the sweet dough in a warm place like a sunny window. The sweet dough is super easy to roll out. I use a cookie sheet as my guide when I roll out the dough.
Stevita Spoonable is so easy to use in recipes
My boys love to help me spread the melted vegan butter on the cinnamon roll dough. Then I let them sprinkle on the cinnamon topping. For the cinnamon topping, I simply mix 3 teaspoons of Stevita Spoonable with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Then the tender dough gets rolled up and sliced into circles of doughy goodness. The dough slices get placed into a greased baking pan.
An oven is a great place to let the dough rise
Sometimes I let the dough rise a second time but since I make the cinnamon rolls ahead of time on Christmas eve, I cover up the cinnamon dough slices and place the baking pan into the fridge overnight. Then when I wake up on Christmas morning, I remove the sweet roll dough from the fridge and let it rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. This warm place can be by a sunny window or in an oven with a dough proofing setting. If your oven doesn't have a dough proof setting, like my new oven, then simply turn place the dough into your oven. Then turn the oven on for a minute and turn it off. This will make the oven a warm place to raise the dough. After letting the dough rise for thirty minutes, bake the cinnamon rolls for 30 minutes.
The smell of cinnamon rolls baking is so delightful
While the cinnamon rolls are baking, this is a perfect time to make the sweet vanilla icing and crush the pretzels. I even make my vanilla icing dairy-free and sugar-free so it is low-glycemic and perfect for people with diabetes. My icing is also paleo-friendly. I bet you are wondering why I add crushed pretzels to my cinnamon rolls. The salty pretzels add a nice flavor with a bit of crunch. If you like white chocolate dipped pretzels, you will love this topping on your cinnamon rolls. Since I can not consume white chocolate, my vegan icing with pretzels is a great substitute.
Cinnamon rolls that are so soft and golden brown
Vegan cream cheese frosting made two ways
The vegan cream cheese frosting is so easy to make. You simply take a container of dairy-free plant-based plain cream cheese that is soft and creamy. So while the cinnamon rolls, take the cream cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Once the cream cheese is soft and spreadable, add 20 drops of Stevita Naturals Liquid Drops in your choice of flavor. The Liquid Drops add the perfect amount of sweet to the cream cheese. This cream cheese frosting is so creamy and spreads wonderfully on the warm cinnamon rolls. My favorite flavors are Vanilla Bliss or Toffee Caramel Love but this deliciously sweet liquid drops also comes in Strawberry Fields and unflavored. I love adding several drops of the liquid Strawberry Fields Drops to my tea for a delicious strawberry taste. The Vanilla Bliss and Toffee Caramel Stevita Liquid Drops make my coffee taste so delicious. The liquid drops are also very sweet so a little goes a long way. The liquid drops contain natural plant-based flavorings and are diabetic-friendly. The Stevita Naturals sweeteners help me reduce the amount of sugar that I eat and fit my natural plant-based diet. I love that these delicious sweeteners are made from certified organic, fair-trade Brazillian stevia extract.
If you liked this recipe, be sure to Pin It on Pinterest!
Get the delicious recipe here
Sugar Free Vegan Cinnamon Rolls With a Pretzel Topping
Yield: 9 rolls
Easy cinnamon rolls that are vegan, sugar-free, and SO delicious, fluffy, and gooey!
ingredients:
- DOUGH
- 3 Tbsp vegan butter
- 1 packet instant yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
- 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Stevita Organic Spoonable Stevia blend
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- FILLING
- 3 Tbsp vegan butter, melted
- 3 teaspoons Stevita Spoonable Stevia blend
- 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
- DAIRY-FREE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- 8 ounces dairy-free cream cheese spread (softened)
- 20 drops Stevita Naturals Liquid Vanilla Bliss Drops or Toffee Caramel Love Drops
- 1 cup pretzels, crushed
instructions:
How to cook Sugar Free Vegan Cinnamon Rolls With a Pretzel Topping
- In a microwave-safe bowl microwave, cook the almond milk and vegan butter until melted. Let it cool to 110 degrees F or the temperature of bathwater. It should be warm but not too hot or it will kill the yeast.
- Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle on yeast. Let activate for 10 minutes. Then add 1/2 teaspoon Stevita Spoonable Stevia blend and the salt and stir.
- Next, add in flour 1/2 cup at a time. The dough will be sticky. When it is too thick to stir, transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or so until it forms a loose ball (be careful not to overmix). Rinse your mixing bowl out, coat it with olive oil, and add your dough ball back in. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin rectangle. Brush with melted vegan butter. Mix the Stevita and cinnamon together and sprinkle evenly over the melted butter.
- Starting at one end, tightly roll up the dough. Then with a serrated knife cut the dough into 1.5 - 2-inch sections and position in a well-buttered 8x8-inch square baking dish. You can also line the baking dish with parchment paper.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.
- Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
- While cinnamon rolls are baking, make the cream cheese frosting. Place the softened dairy-free cream cheese spread in a dish and stir in the Stevita Naturals Liquid Vanilla Bliss Drops until well combined.
- When the cinnamon rolls are done baking let cool for a few minutes and frost the warm rolls with the dairy-free cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle crushed pretzels on top of the cinnamon rolls. The cinnamon rolls taste best when warm.
- If there are any leftovers, store them in the fridge in a covered container. To enjoy, just warm the cinnamon rolls in the microwave for about 15 seconds to melt the frosting.
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