For anyone reading who has tried to lose weight by cutting back on portion sizes and/or eliminating refined carbohydrates, processed foods, or perhaps even entire food groups for faster results, you know that measuring servings — e.g., weighing your chicken breast and counting out almonds and cashews — can get tedious! Even if weight loss hasn’t been your goal, just maintaining a healthy lifestyle can take quite a bit of forethought and preparation (Airports, road trips, holiday parties, and overnight stays with family and friends all come to mind!).

 

Many Americans’ weight problem stems from the fact that unfortunately, unhealthy foods are just so darned quick and convenient. Designating time go to the grocery store each week to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, plan meals, prepare and cook them simply does not appeal to many people nor agree with our “busy schedules.”

Now having said that…

I am a firm believer and incessant reciter of the simple phrase, “Make Time!” We’re all busy, friends! Whether it’s a grueling semester in college, a hectic time at work, a family of six, or a combination of all three and more, our health should be a priority for the sake of our loved ones and for the glory of God (1st Corinthians 10:31); the aesthetic benefits are simply favorable side-effects ;-). But even when we’ve disciplined ourselves to consistently make smart choices at restaurants and grocery stores and prepare nutritious meals, it would be unrealistic to believe we can be equipped with a healthy snack or meal on-hand at all times…right??

Wrong! “Perfect Blocks” is produced by the health and wellness company “Fortified Nutrition.” As their website states, their mission is to “Bridge the Nutritional Gap.” They do this by adhering to the “Zone Diet” philosophy developed by renowned biochemist Dr. Barry Sears, who has simply stated that the Zone is a “metabolic state in which the body works at peak efficiency.” That state is created by eating a set ratio of 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat; getting sufficient amounts of these macronutrients daily is key to not only losing weight safely and effectively, but also to maintaining optimal overall health.

A recent study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that when people who had been eating a higher-carb, lower-protein diet were put on a balanced-ratio plan, they showed positive changes in their DNA that may translate into less inflammation in the body! This can reduce our risk for cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.

Additionally, a growing body of research suggests that eating this way – the balanced way –  might also be a shortcut to shedding pounds faster. According to New York City-based nutritionist Bonnie Taub-Dix, “Protein, fat, and carbs work with each other. When you skimp on one group like protein, you tend to compensate by overeating something else you don’t need more of, like additional carbs or fat.”

A recent study in the journal of PLoS ONE confirmed that pattern, finding that when people decreased their daily intake of protein by as little a 5 percent and made up the difference with carb-rich foods, they ate an additional 260 calories a day! The participants reported to researchers that they felt hungrier, especially in the morning, and ended up snacking more throughout the day.

The following comes directly from the co-founder of “Perfect Blocks:”

“It is challenging, to say the least, to follow a clean, high-quality diet one-hundred percent of the time. Like most people, we grow tired of the process of measuring and weighing our food, packing a cooler and filling up Ziploc bags for the day, etc.

However, with an adamant desire to find a way to make our lives a little simpler, we at Fortified Nutrition spent nine solid months formulating and developing to create an all-natural food supplement that met every single criteria that we demanded of it.  With the final formula completed, we made a very significant step to helping not only ourselves, but also help support our fellow athletes and like-mind fitness enthusiasts fuel with only high-quality nutrients, derived with the exact ratio we demand, when eating a “good meal” was simply not convenient, nor available… and we literally made it as easy we possibly could – 1 Scoop = 1 Block!”

Now for a few highlights of Perfect Blocks:

• Only Clean, All-Natural Dietary Nutrients; NO Sugar, Artificial Flavors or Preservatives
• High Biological Value Protein, providing substantial amounts of EAA’s and the All Important BCAA’s
• Low-Glycemic, Complex Carbohydrates for Slow Burning, Sustainable Energy
• Healthy Blend of Monounsaturated Fat & Medium Chain Triglycerides
• 24 Essential Vitamins & Minerals, Prebiotics & Probiotics, Fiber, and Digestive Enzymes

Description:

Forged with a Scientifically Derived Formula of All-Natural Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fats Providing the Foundation for Elite Athletes and Health Enthusiasts. Every Serving Contains:

• ✓ High Biological Value Protein from Whey and Soy, Providing Substantial Amounts of Essential Amino Acids (EAA’s) and the All Important Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s)
• ✓ Low-Glycemic, Complex Carbohydrates for Slow Burning Sustainable Energy
• ✓ Heart-Healthy Blend of Monounsaturated Fat and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT’s) Promoting an Increase of Fat Oxidation
• ✓ Essential Vitamins, Minerals, Prebiotics & Probiotics, Soluble & Insoluble Fiber, and Digestive Enzymes to Maximize our Perfect Blend of Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fats
• ✓ Only Clean and Natural Dietary Nutrients. NO Sugar, Artificial Flavors or Preservatives
• ✓ Shown to Help Control Insulin, Increase the Metabolism, Boost the Immune System, Promote Excess Calorie Burning and Reduce Cholesterol

I love the convenience of Perfect Blocks, as well as its versatility. If I need a quick and refreshing snack, I mix it into almond milk with ice. For a pre-workout pick-me-up, I blend one scoop (1 block) with a quarter-cup of berries or half of a banana, and ice. For breakfast, I’ve mixed two scoops (2 blocks) with milk and poured it over cereal! I could go on, but suffice it to say, you can be wonderfully creative with this product. (1 scoop with 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1/4 cup blackberries and raspberries and unsweetened vanilla almond milk is amazing!!!)

If you’re interested in purchasing, click here and use the discount code you see below to get 15% off your purchase!