What I Got In My Thrive Market Box: April 2020

Food

I’m a big fan of Thrive Market. I’ve shared about this unique online grocery store before, but basically it’s better than Amazon as far as prices, company mission, product selection and employee treatment.

I still order from Amazon occasionally for things I can’t buy from other online retailers, but I prefer to support Thrive Market when I can. I don’t order from them every month, but at least once every other month or so, and going forward I’d like to try to place an order monthly and limit my grocery shopping trips to buying perishable food like fruits and veggies, and buying more snack-y items from Thrive Market.

Right now, unfortunately, is not a good time to order frequently from Thrive Market, as they’ve temporarily paused orders due to overwhelming demand. It’s understandable but still disappointing. The coronavirus is changing all our shopping habits and putting a lot of strain on online marketplaces. I’m hopeful Thrive Market will open back up again soon.

Fortunately, I placed my most recent order shortly before they decided to close, and just got my box at the end of last week. I will say it took longer to ship than normal, which makes sense, but from the time it actually shipped to when it delivered was pretty quick, like 2 days. Keep in mind that Thrive Market is West Coast-based, so since I live in AZ my orders are delivered more quickly than they would be if you live in the Midwest or East Coast.

I will also note that there were some items I had in my cart that were out of stock by the time I ordered, which was a bummer but again, understandable. It’s a good idea to order ASAP to make sure the things you want are still in stock.

Ok, let’s get to sharing what I got in my box this time around! I actually ordered quite a few new-to-me items that I’m excited to try out, as well as a couple “staples”.

Winged Relaxation CBD Gummies

I’ve tried CBD once before (actually a free sample from Thrive Market) but I’ve been curious about using it for stress reduction. Let’s be honest, we could all use that during these uncertain times.

I have a thing for gummy supplements (as long as they’re vegan, obvs) so I had to try some CBD gummies. I like Winged because their CBD is 3rd party lab tested full spectrum hemp extract (organically grown, too). These gummies are also formulated with evening primrose oil, which may support balanced hormone levels, as well as chamomile, lemon balm and L-Theanine for a stress support complex.

I also love that Winged is geared toward women — I’m always down to support female-founded brands!

I’ve taken these for a few days now and I do notice I feel a bit more calm after eating one of the gummies, but I plan to focus on using them when I’m having a really stressful day to see how they help me cope.

Thrive Market Organic Seaweed Snacks

Seaweed snacks are a staple in my diet. I always have at least a few packets of them in the pantry!

I typically go for the teriyaki or spicy flavors because those are the most interesting options I can find at Sprouts (where I usually buy them from), so I was intrigued by the Korean Kalbi flavor offered by Thrive Market’s flagship brand.

Skout Organic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I typically buy my nuts from Trader Joe’s because they’re inexpensive but I haven’t been shopping there weekly lately, and I like to have nuts/seeds daily.

I’ve had my eye out for the newish chili and garlic cashews from TJs but haven’t been able to track them down yet. Then I remembered I ordered the Mountain Ranch pumpkin seeds from Skout and my disappointment faded. I love savory flavored nuts and seeds and I’m obsessed with the plain (salted) pumpkin seeds in the shell from TJs so I couldn’t wait to try these (vegan) ranch flavored pumpkin seeds.

These seeds are unshelled and they have a great flavor — definitely a tangy ranch vibe!

Prima The Trifecta CBD Botanical Elixir Sampler Pack

More CBD! This time, in drink mix form. I drink lots of water daily, and usually like to add something to at least one of my servings of water to spice it up. Typically, it’s a greens powder or one of the beauty powders from Pacifica but I love the idea of adding CBD to water to sip my way to better balance, focus and sleep.

This little sampler pack comes with 6 single dose packets, with 2 of each of the 3 elixirs. Besides 10 mg of hemp cannibinoids from whole plant extract, the packets also contain superfood type ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, valerian and hops.

SmartSweets Peach Rings

It’s hard for me to pick a favorite of the SmartSweets candies, but I do really love the peach rings. They’re so soft and chewy and tangy 🍑

I buy these from Thrive Market because they’re the one flavor I can’t buy at either Sprouts or Target. I can only find them at Whole Foods and I shop there once a month at most.

Cocomels Pumpkin Spice Coconut Milk Caramels

This may seem weird to order in spring, but Thrive Market sold out of the chocolate-covered Cocomels and I remember liking these little pumpkin spice caramels when I ordered them last fall, so I got another 2 small bags (these, like many other candy items on Thrive Market, must be ordered in quantities of at least 2).

I’m considering adding these to cookies, if I decide to bake sometime during this quarantine. I haven’t baked anything in years because I always make so many substitutions and never end up loving the end product, plus it’s overwhelming for my eating disorder to have a bunch of home-baked treats around (it’s hard for me to justify eating them, but then I feel bad if I throw them away). But I have a mix of vegan, GF cookies from TJs that I’d like to use up, so these may make their way into those!

What new food have you bought lately? What’s your favorite nut/seed — mine right now is pumpkin seeds, but I also love cashews and pecans!

At Home With Ashley

Food, Life

Merry (almost) Christmas! As I’m writing this, I just got home from my last day of work for 2019! I felt like this day would never arrive and yet, here it is. Not that I don’t enjoy my job — I do — but I am definitely in need of a short break, and these 16 days off will be just the thing!

So this post was inspired by a feature in The Chalkboard Mag, an online publication about wellness I just recently stumbled upon. I think I’m going to become a regular reader because it seems right up my alley.

I have always loved “day in the life” posts (both to read and to write), and this is a slightly different twist on that. Using the article for inspiration, I came up with a list of questions that gives you a peek into my everyday life. Enjoy!

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Dream Breakfast: sweet potato waffle loaded with vegan butter and real maple syrup. Orrrr the vegan breakfast tacos from Chimera in Tulsa. Miss those!

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I would make a trip back to Tulsa just for the breakfast tacos & potatoes (also to run on the river trail again).

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This was actually not a sweet potato waffle (it was the cheddar & chive chick’n and waffles from Watercourse Foods in Denver), but I don’t discriminate when it comes to waffles!

Healthy Recipe You Love to Make at Home: not really a recipe, but my bowls loaded with sautéed veggies (cauliflower rice or shredded potatoes as a base + Cruciferous Crunch mix from TJs), a protein (tofu or beans or occasionally vegan bacon from Sweet Earth) topped with vegan cheese/cheese sauce, hot sauce and something pickled. 

How Do I Take My Coffee: ALWAYS iced, usually cold brewed at home, with stevia and a splash of Califia Farms creamer

Daily Supplements: Sundaily base layer gummy for AM, Pacifica Beauty Gummies(#NoFilter skin focused & Dream Sleep) for PM.

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One a day keeps my skin looking healthy!

Kitchen Tool Obsession: air fryer! I’m late to the game but I love experimenting with it. The best thing I’ve had so far is air fried cauli gnocchi!

Favorite Daily Workout: this is a shocker to absolutely no one — run! I run 4-5 days per week. I used to run M-F, sometimes 2x a day, then I got injured (still nursing pain in my right ankle on every run) and now I try to only run 2 days in a row before I take a day off to go for a walk. Over the summer, I was running 30+ miles/week, now it’s closer to 20 miles.

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The best part about morning runs and walks is getting to see the spectacular sunrises!

 Strange Wellness Habit: Using charcoal toothpaste. It looks scary (because it turns your mouth black) but I swear it works.

Three Staples Always in my Pantry: seeds/nuts (I’m obsessed with pumpkin seeds in the shell & macadamia nuts), seasonings (Everything But the Bagel, Kelly’s Croutons vegan parm) and alt pasta/rice (like Banza & Right Rice). 

Favorite Home Scent: depends on the season, but generally I like woodsy, musky scents. Right now I’m loving more holiday scents like peppermint, cranberry or balsam fir. 

Lately I’m Always Wearing: a dress or sweater & skirt with tights and my combat boots from H&M. Best purchase ever!

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I wear these boots AT LEAST three times a week #noshame

At Least Once a Week I Cook: some type of cauliflower rice bowl, with a protein & veggies & hot sauce.

Wine or Cocktails: I love going to wine tastings & trying new wines but I gravitate toward unique cocktails when I go out (sometimes I even make them at home). I love a good drink made with mezcal, gin or bourbon.

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I love mixing up my own cocktails at home, like this holiday-inspired one, with locally-made cranberry thyme mixer, mezcal & Zevia ginger beer!

My Best Health Advice: live well but enjoy your life. You might not like every vegetable, but I’m sure there are at least a few out there you do like! Eat nourishing foods that taste good, exercise in a way that lights you up and everything will fall into place. 

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What’s your dream breakfast? Share your best health advice with me!

My Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals

Beauty, Food, Life

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for shoppers! NGL, while I embrace the true spirit of Christmas, I also admit I enjoy the sales that happen this time of year because they help me finish my holiday shopping without spending a fortune (and I also get a few gifts for myself #treatyoself).

As someone who loves to shop a little too much, I did have to rein myself in and I think I did a decent job at that. Most of the things I bought this Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend full of deals were items I had my eye on for awhile, so they weren’t all impulse buys. And after all the online orders over the past few days, I’m going to take a step back from spending on myself and focus on buying gifts for family and friends. I actually enjoy the idea of giving more than I do receiving, because it’s so fun to see how excited people are to receive a gift that’s just what they wanted, but I also struggle with finding the “right” gift instead of giving from the heart, so I want to make sure I’m not focused on spending a certain amount of money but rather giving something I truly think the recipient will enjoy.

That said, I’m only sharing the things I bought for myself during BF/CM weekend, juuuuust in case any of my fam/friends are reading this post so I don’t spoil the surprise 😉

Sundaily The Base Layer Skincare Supplement

This is one of those brands I only know about thanks to Instagram Stories ads! I came across it about a month ago, thought it seemed interesting, and promptly forgot about until I saw they were having a killer Black Friday sale. And when I say killer, I mean 50% off (none of that 20% off BS that a lot of stores offer as a “big sale”).

Y’all, these vitamins are normally $39 for a month’s supply ($29 if you order as a monthly subscription), which is fairly steep, but not stupid expensive for an all-natural, vegan, gummy supplement. I had a 20% off coupon waiting in my email, but the 50% off sale is what sold me.

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These taste great & I hope they work well on my skin!

I only ordered one bottle, but I’m anxious to see how it compares to other skin supplements I’ve used. This one is supposed to fight free radical damage from UV light and support the skin’s collagen layers, both things I need as A) someone who lives in a sunny climate who enjoys spending time outside, and B) a vegan who doesn’t get collagen from the food I eat.

Safe + Fair Holiday Granola Bundle

I’m a sucker for holiday-flavored anything, so you know I couldn’t pass this up! I’ve already tried (and loved) their granola, specifically the birthday cake and key lime pie flavors, so I knew I couldn’t miss out on these limited edition flavors.

The bundle of gingerbread cookie & chocolate candy cane was 15% off, but I had to order two more bags of granola (in the aforementioned birthday cake and the new-to-me sweet & salty kettle corn flavors) to get free shipping, otherwise it would have cost just about as much to ship the two holiday flavors. So now I’ll have granola for months…ok, maybe just a few weeks!

Spiritual Gangster Peace Supernova Active Top

As mentioned in my last gift guide post, Spiritual Gangster is my favorite activewear brand at the moment (other than Free People Movement). I’m on their email list, and I frequently get promo codes for 15% off, but the clothes are still pretty pricey even with that discount, so I don’t shop there more than once every few months.

However, I’ve been in the market for long-sleeve tops I can wear to run (aka they must be breathable and sweat-wicking) and they’ve been tough to find. But Spiritual Gangster came through by offering several cute options (all priced under $100, but still more expensive than I’d like). I’d had this specific, galaxy/tie-dye patterned one in my virtual shopping cart for a few weeks, and I finally bit the bullet during BF/CM weekend, when they were offering 40% off your entire purchase.

I can’t wait to wear this top during my upcoming runs!

Free People Movement Westlake Sweat

I wasn’t planning on buying anything from Free People, buttttttt then on Thanksgiving, they were offering 20% off all Free People Movement purchases AND donating 100% of proceeds to Girls, Inc., a nonprofit that helps young girls thrive. I’m all about giving back in small ways whenever possible, so it was a win-win. Plus I had had my eye on this sweatshirt for awhile, so it finally made its way into my virtual cart.

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This photo doesn’t do it justice (stupid cloudy day lighting!) but check out that ribbing and the thumbholes 😍

I ordered it in the amber color, and it feels so soft and cozy and it’s perfectly oversized! I can’t wait to find ways to dress it up for work, which I love doing with athleisure when I can.

Cocobakes Grain Free Bunz

I’ve mentioned my love for Cocobakes vegan & gluten free sourdough before, but it had been months since my last order. I decided to order again when I saw they were offering a Black Friday discount, and I branched out and bought the new grain free “bunz”. I love trying grain free alternatives, but oftentimes they aren’t vegan, so I knew I had to buy these because they are!

I plan on serving the bunz toasted alongside homemade soup or chili and slathered in Miyoko’s vegan butter!

Baublebar Giftwrap Hair Pin Set

Baublebar is my go-to for jewelry and accessories because it’s fairly affordable (they always have sales, so I never have to spend more than $30 on a piece) but high-quality and uniquely designed.

I recently bought some hair accessories from Baublebar to up my hair game (I’ve been obsessed with scrunchies the past few months and I wanted to dress up my hair even more without having to actually style it), including a personalized hair clip with my name on it! But then I saw this hair pin set and knew I had to put in a pre-order for it. I mean, hello, it just screams Christmas!

My set just shipped the other day and I’m (not so) patiently waiting for it to arrive, but you can still pre-order it now and it should ship by the 12th, giving you plenty of time for it to get to your mailbox before the holidays.

What did you buy/order on Black Friday/Cyber Monday? Do you prefer shopping online or in stores?