Leanne's Best of the Best

So my favorite articles in my favorite magazines tend to be the ones titled the "Best of the Best" or "Best of 2010" (or whatever year just ended), or "Best of Beauty" or "Best in Health." You get the idea. I love articles that tell me what the "best" is. This means I have new beauty/fitness/food stuff to buy and try, and I can feel a little better knowing that it comes highly recommended. I have decided that I should create my own little "Best of the Best" list. It's like the ultimate Friday 5 Faves. There is a good chance a lot of my list will include food. Girl likes to eat. It will be healthy stuff though because that's how I roll. And I have supplemented the plethora of edible things with fitness/exercise related things. Without further ado...
"Best of the Best According to Leanne"

Best snack foods: Clif Bar Minis, Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds, hummus w/ cucumber slices


Best protein bars: Clif Bar (regular size) in the Blueberry Streusel and Chocolate Chip flavors, Kashi Go Lean Roll in the Caramel Peanut flavor, LaraBar in the Cherry Pie flavor


Best healthy treat: mug cake (mix 3 heaping spoonfuls of favorite cake mix with a little water in a coffee mug until smooth and nuke for 50 seconds), Back to Nature Madagascar Vanilla Wafers, microwave s'mores (place 1/2 graham cracker sheet on plate, place 10 mini chocolate chips on top and then top that with a jumbo marshmallow, nuke for 15 seconds, top with other graham)


Best "when I need a splurge but don't totally want to blow my diet" treat: vegan peanut butter cookie from Whole Foods bakery, Rice Dream Mint Chocolate Frozen Pie


Best cereal: Kashi Go Lean Crunch Berry, Special K Cinnamon Pecan, Cascadian Farms Fruitful O's or Cinnamon Crunch


Best on the go meal: packet of Justin's peanut or almond butter with whole grain bagel


Best bang for your buck at Starbucks: grande coffee with 1 pump mocha, 1 pump peppermint and soy milk (a skinnied up and cheaper version of the high calorie $5 Peppermint Mocha latte)


Best exercise move: the plank


Best exercise equipment: kettle bells (using these bad boys for 20 min is equivalent to running a 10 minute mile for the same time)


Best website for healthy recipes: www.wholefoodsmarket.com or www.hungry-girl.com

Best health/fitness related magazine: Health


Best face moisturizer: Garnier Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV Lotion or Jergens Natural Glow Daily Facial Moisturizer


Best everyday facewash: Garnier NutriPure Cleansing Towelettes


Best exfoliator: St. Ives Apricot Scrub


Best eye cream: Clinique All About Eyes


Best "tool": Garnier eye roller (Clinique makes a good one too, but this guy is only $7!!)


Best self tanner: Hempz Touch of Summer Daily Moisturizer


Best body lotion: Dove Cream Oil


Best body wash: Bath and Body Works Shower and Bath Gel in the Brown Sugar and Fig scent


Best drug store skin care line: Garnier


Best department store skin care line: Skinceuticals


Best splurge: Skinceuticals Phloretin CF serum


Best lip gloss: Smith's Rosebud Salve


Best blush: Tarte Cheek Stain


Best mascara: Maybelline Grow Luscious


Best powder: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Original SPF 15


Best concealer: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Well Rested for Eyes


Best shampoo/conditioner: Loreal EverPure Sulfate Free line


There you go. Now time to go buy stuff.