The Holidays Season is a joyful time of year with yummy sweet treats, comfort foods, holiday parties, family gatherings and the spirit of giving! However, the Holidays can also be a stressful, time consuming and can burn a hole in one's pocket. Enjoy this yummy sweet healthy bread I whipped up using all-natural ingredients I picked up at Whole Foods Market Encinitas that is perfect for an on-the-go breakfast/snack or holiday party dessert!

**One lucky winner will win a $50 Whole Foods Gift Card! Winner will be notified via email on Monday 12/16/13 & will have 24 hours to reply, at which point another winner will be selected if winner does not reply.
**Enter to WIN the giveaway by completing the tasks & any optional ways you’d like to enter.
*** YOU MUST Leave a blog comment below in response to the question (REQUIRED to ENTER), then follow the prompts for additional entries. Sometimes the widget is a bit slow to load, so please be patient.

Don't know what to serve at your holiday dinner or party? No worries, Whole Foods Market Encinitas has you covered their FREE in-store Dressing Rehearsal holiday tasting event with chef demos, sampling of delicious holiday dishes and special holiday offerings. 

Event Details:
Date/Time: Thursday, 12/12/13 from 6 to 8 pm
Location: Whole Foods Market Encinitas -687 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Features of the Event:
Beer & Wine – Holiday favorites, pairings and sampling
Holiday Cheese Board – How to create
Premier Party Dips sampling

Many people think raw organic healthy food shopping can get expensive, I have to say I disagree! Whole Foods Market offer an array of items to fit everyone's dietary needs and budget. Reduce your holiday stress and get creative with Whole Foods Holiday Cheat Sheet! Happy Shopping!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Whole Foods Market Encinitas; however, the Gluten-Free Apple Chunk Bread recipe & opinions are all mine.

How many times have you hit snooze on the alarm you set an hour early to get up for a morning workout to only end up running late instead? What about skipping that last weight training set or cutting your cardio session in half or saying "I workout extra hard tomorrow"? We can all use a little motivation when it comes to exercise! 

My passion for health and fitness is my lifestyle so many people think I participate in various types of physical activities, but to be honest....I am a GYM RAT. I love to lift weights and perform my own versions of circuit training while listening to up beat music. You are probably thinking I pretty much spend all my free time working out but the truth is, I am just like you....I need motivation and accountability too! So you can only imagine my excitement when I met Vince & Athena, Founders/Creators of The Sox Box; fashionable/functional knee high socks that talk to you when you can't! Yes....socks with motivational words to remind you WHY you are training, pushing you to maximize your workout efforts! I   had to have not just one pair, but three that read: BEAUTY/BEAST, BARBELL/BABE, STRONG/MAMMA! I wear mine when I perform plyometric or circuit training workouts. Not only are these socks cute, matching my gym clothes; but comfortable with extra cushioning for the bottom my feet and not too tight so the circulation in my legs is not cut off. Check out The Sox Box collection and find a pair that fits your personality color and spirit! In honor of the service men and women who sacrifice their lives in the name of freedom and justice, The Sox Box pledges is a lifetime donation of 20% of all Sox Box profits to the Independence Fund, a non-profit group that directly supports the wounded service members fighting the global war on terror. 

Win a 3 Pairs of The Sox Box Knee High Socks!

How to Enter:
Leave a comment below with two motivational words that you would want on a pair of Sox Box socks to inspire you to give your workout all you got! (REQUIRED)

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow @GetFitSanDiego on Twitter
2. Follow @TheSoxBox on Twitter
3. Follow @GetFitSanDiego Instagram & Share the Giveaway Image 
4. Sign-Up for the Get Fit E-Newsletter.
   
5. Tweet this as many times as you’d like. Click the Tweet button below, copy and paste this: Knee high socks that talk to you when you can't @TheSoxBox! #WIN a pair that motivates you from @GetFitSanDiego! http://bit.ly/12nvS5N
6. Subscribe to Get Fit San Diego via RSS.
7. Pin this to Pinterest.
   

This giveaway will end on Mon 3/11/13 at 12pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Monday 3/11/13 at 2pm PST. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning. Good Luck!

We expose our bodies to various forms of stress every day whether it be emotional, physical or environmental. A trip to the local Day Spa involves an experience most of us desire involving relaxation and stress management therapy. Treatments like an European Facial or Swedish Massage can help ease the mind, relax the body helping us feel rejuvenated and beautiful.

Now just imagine a place where you can escape the stress from your daily life through fitness and pampering! YES, that is exactly what Total Woman Gym & Day Spa has to offer! The name says it all "Total Woman", meaning they offer everything a woman desires when it comes to health and beauty. A place a woman can feel comfortable when she exercises. A place a woman can relax, be at peace, feel beautiful and let the stress from life disappear. Total Woman Gym & Day Spa offers personal training, group fitness classes, pilates, yoga, a kids club and a full service day spa that is open to the public. Whether she is a stay at home mom or career executive, she will feel like a "Total Woman" with all her fitness, health and beauty needs solved. Trust me, I know from experience!

"The minute I walked into Total Woman Gym & Day Spa in Mission Valley I was kindly greeted by Nicole, Personal Fitness Supervisor, who escorted me up stairs to the Day Spa Oasis. I was then greeted by the Spa receptionist Barbara who showed me to my looker that had a pink fluffy soft rope for me to wear during my treatments, clean slippers sandals and a towel. Once I was changed into the pink fluffy rope, I relaxed in the client room and enjoyed a refreshing tea. There I was greeted by Rebekah my massage therapist who was friendly, knowledgeable, paid close attention to my needs by asking the right questions. Rebekah treated me with a relaxing Swedish Massage with a mix of pressure point therapy. Now that I was completely relaxed, I headed over to Tricia, Spa Supervisor for my European Facial. Since this was my first experience getting a facial, Tricia gave me a personal skin analysis and guided me step-by-step me through the procedure sharing her knowledge/recommendations. Following my facial Tricia educated me on my current skin condition, a daily skin care procedure I should follow and product types I should be using day/night in a way that was professional and friendly with out a "sales-pitch". My overall experience at the Day Spa was relaxing and pleasant!"

Now on to the fabulous "Total Woman Complete Makeover" Package ($1075 Value) Total Woman Gym & Day Spa in Mission Valley has graciously decided to give to one lucky Get Fit SD "Hers" Reader! The Package is for woman ONLY (sorry guys) and includes the following:

• 3-Month Membership at Total Woman Gym & Day Spa in Mission Valley (Membership includes use of gym equipment, 60+ Group Fit classes per week, sauna, steam room, locker room)
• 12 Personal Training Sessions
• 1 Swedish massage
• 1 European facial
• 1 Brow makeover

How to Enter:
Leave a comment below why you want a Total Woman Makeover! (Required to be Enter into Giveaway)

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow @GetFitSanDiego on Twitter
2. Follow @TotalWomanGym on Twitter
3. Click the "LIKE" button below to share this blog post on Facebook
4. Sign-Up for the Get Fit E-Newsletter
   
5. Sign-Up for the Total Woman FitFormation Newsletter
6. Tweet this as many times as you’d like. Click the Tweet button below, copy and paste: Experience pure #Fitness & #Beauty heaven at @TotalWomanGym! Win a Total Woman Complete Makeover from @GetFitSanDiego! http://bit.ly/UAcxtf
7. Subscribe to Get Fit San Diego via RSS.
8. Pin this to Pinterest.

This giveaway will end on Thursday 11/01/12 at 8pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Friday 11/02/12. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning. Good Luck!

Keeping it FIT is my motto so I absolutely LOVE mixing up my fitness activities! In my youth I took on the hobby of boxing with my male friends who competed in the sport for fun and really enjoyed taking out my stress on a bag! So when Joe Virga, Owner of CKO Kickboxing in Mira Mesa invited me to his NEW facility to experience what CKO Kickboxing was all about, I was excited! Little did I know what I was in for....yes CKO Kickboxing is NOT your traditional type of boxing. CKO Kickboxing combines cross training drills with basic heavy bag combinations suited for all fitness levels allowing one to build up their fitness endurance at a comfortable pace. The combination workouts keep your body/mind engaged and your heart rate up for an overall full body strength conditioning and cardiovascular workout. 

CKO Kickboxing San DIego offers 1st time members a complimentary trail class or mention GetFitSD for $0 Enrollment Free on a 1year Monthly Membership (Savings of $49). Click here for a full list of the class schedule.

Joe and Trisha Virga opened/operated the 1st CKO Kickboxing Studio in Brooklyn, NY for the past 5 years ago and have recently opened the 1st CKO Kickboxing Studio on the West Coast right here in our backyard San Diego! Join them for their Grand Opening Event on Sept 29, 2012 from 9am-2pm. They will be offering Kickboxing classes from 9am-1pm, fun giveaways and special membership discounts. Additionally, in honor of their NEW location, Joe and Trisha are giving one lucky Get Fit SD reader 1 Month of Unlimited Kickboxing Classes!! (1st time members only)

How to Enter:
Leave a comment below about what you like about kickboxing vs traditional kickboxing or why you want to tryout CKO Kickboxing! (Required to be Enter into Giveaway)

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow @GetFitSanDiego on Twitter
2. Follow @CKOSanDiego on Twitter
3. Click the "LIKE" button below to share this blog post on Facebook
4. Sign-Up for the Get Fit E-Newsletter
   
5. Sign-Up for the CKO Kickboxing Newsletter
6. Tweet this as many times as you’d like. Click the Tweet button below, copy and paste: "Full body #kickboxing workout at @CKOKickboxing! Win a 1 Month Unlimited Classes Membership from @GetFitSanDiego! http://bit.ly/TjrDlL"
7. Subscribe to Get Fit San Diego via RSS.
8. Pin this to Pinterest.

This giveaway will end on Wednesday 9/12/12 at 8pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Thursday 9/13/12. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning. Good Luck!

Have you ever wanted to play tennis like a pro or take lessons? Play Tennis California offers Tennis Lesson in San Diego. Play Tennis California specializes in the delivery of upscale tennis services to California's hospitality and residential industries. Their elite team of International Tennis Professionals cater to adults' and juniors' specific goals, whether it be technical improvement, fitness or simple fun! Play Tennis California offers individual coaching/lessons as well as group lessons with no more than 8 students per session. I don't know about you but being the fitness guru I am and with summer right around the corner; tennis sounds like the perfect sport to stay fit while enjoying the San Diego sunshine!

Play Tennis! Offers:
- ITF World Ranked Tennis Instructor.
- Beginners Classes: Wednesdays 5:30 PM, Sundays 12:30 PM.
- Intermediates/Advanced Classes: Wednesdays 6:30 PM, Sundays 1:30 PM.
- Juniors Classes (5-12 yrs): Sundays 2:30 PM.

Win SIX 1-Hour Group Tennis Lessons in La Jolla at the Towers at Costa Verde from Play Tennis California!

How to Enter:
Leave a comment below about why you would LOVE to take Tennis Lessons! (Required to be Enter into Giveaway)

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow @GetFitSanDiego on Twitter
2. Click the "like button below to share this blog post on Facebook
3. Register on Play Tennis San Diego's website (It's FREE)
   
4. Sign-Up for the Get Fit E-Newsletter
   
5. Tweet this as many times as you’d like. Click the Tweet button below, copy and paste this: "Keep it Fun & Fit with Tennis Lessons in the #SanDiego Sunshine. Win some from @GetFitSanDiego! #LoveTennis http://bit.ly/JqQDPQ"
6. Subscribe to Get Fit San Diego via RSS.
7. Pin this to Pinterest.

This giveaway will end on Monday 4/30/12 at 8pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Tuesday 5/01/12. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning. Good Luck!

Where to put ALL those exercise essentials we need for our trip to the gym: a gym towel, water bottle, workout gloves, music device, phone, place to put our keys, and the list could go on! If you are like me, I carry a small bag throughout my workout that has everything I need or I lock it up in a private locker. This can be overwhelming when your goal is to "get in and out" of the gym....easy breezy! Well....I recently was introduced to a FABULOUS product that solves all of these issues while making your gym experience fun and easy....a gym towel with pockets and germ shield technology!! Yes.....a fitness dream come true developed by TowelMate®! The TowelMate® Gym Towel is a luxurious, patented dual-sided Fitness Towel, one side says GYM for you to put down on equipment; while the other side says SKIN for you to use to wipe off sweat, etc. This fabulous gym towel has a Germ Shield (a patented thin, flexible fabric that is 100% moisture-proof) layer which is sandwiched between the two outer layers so you never wipe your face or eyes with the side that’s been in contact with shared gym equipment. BRILLIANT, right! It get better, the TowelMate® Gym Towel has pockets for you to put your keys, phone, wallet and whatever gym essentials you need for you gym visit!

TowelMate® is dedicated to making lifestyle products perfect for everyday use; beach/pool towels, golf towels, bike handle bar covers, car seat covers and more. TowelMate® is offering a 20% Discount to Get Fit San Diego Readers, just enter GETFITSD20 at checkout! Click here to shop TowelMate® Products!

ToweMate® is also giving away a Gym Towel to one of our readers!! See contest entry details below:

Win a Gym Towel from TowelMate®!
How to Enter:
Leave a comment below about what you think of this fabulous gym towel from TowelMate® .

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow @GetFitSanDiego on Twitter
2. Follow @TowelMate on Twitter
3. Sign-Up for the Get Fit E-Newsletter.
   
4. Tweet this as many times as you’d like. Click the Tweet button below, copy and paste this: "Gym towel with pockets & germ shield from @TowelMate - BRILLIANT! Win 1 from @GetFitSanDiego! #GetAfterIt #SanDiego http://bit.ly/JPnJY4"
5. Subscribe to Get Fit San Diego via RSS.
6. Pin this to Pinterest.
   

This giveaway will end on Monday 4/23/12 at 8pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Tuesday 4/24/12. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning. Good Luck!