2013 is just around the corner, which means its time for us all to reevaluate our lives, where we are and where we’re going.

Gaiam has released a video that sparks the question “What makes you happy?” For me, I’m finding that my happiness comes from doing the things I love: music, writing and trying to create a fulfilling life for myself. A lot of the things that will make me happy take time to cultivate, as sites like GaiamTV.com remind us; one thing I can control, is my health.

That post-workout “high” that comes after taking time towards my Plus Size Princess Fitness Challenge goals gives instant gratification while helping me achieve the fitness goals that will improve my daily life.

For those of you looking to start the New Year with happiness releasing endorphins, GaiamTV is offering streaming video with over 2,000 titles. Gaiam TV is like Netflix with streaming capabilities on your computer, iPads and smartphone.

Sign up for a GaiamTV free 10-day trial and you’re automatically entered to win a 3-month subscription!

Here’s to a healthy and happy New Year!

2012 is turning out to be a whirlwind year. I’ve modeled in a fashion show, been featured in ELLE magazine and… lost 30 pounds! The fashion show and magazine feature were completely unexpected, but the weight loss journey is something I’ve wanted to conquer for a very long time. Oddly enough, finding the strength to step out of my comfort zone and onto a runway is having a positive affect on my workouts. I’m being more adventurous, taking boot camps and learning about lifting weights… all of these are things I’ve thought about in the past but shied away from. But every time I take a chance and try something new, I find out I’m a little stronger than I thought I was.

I’ve also been testing Degree Women^® Clinical Protection as a deodorant and its lasting me through the day and into my evening workouts. So, when Degree asked me to spread the word about their new Women Unapologetically Strong campaign, I was happy to do it. I find inspiration everyday from women online who are telling their stories via blogs, facebook and twitter, so I’d love to see one of you win their $5,000 prize.

Degree Women^® is looking to provide inspiration to women as we work to achieve our goals in fitness, work and life in general! Starting today (Wednesday, September 12^th) With a contest being hosted on the Degree Women^® Facebook page inviting women to share their own unique and inspiring Unapologetically Strong stories and goals. By sharing their own stories of their own personal challenges, fans will be entered for a chance to win giveaways from Degree Women^® to help on their Unapologetically Strong journey. One winner will also have the opportunity to win the grand prize of $5,000 to spend on achieving their goal.

If you want to be a part of what they’re doing, “like” their facebook page and watch their youtube video to see how it all came together.

Good Luck!

New York City is truly the city that never sleeps. At the core of the Big Apple are the seeds that might lead you to your next big break… your true love, or maybe just the experience of a lifetime. There are numerous very good reasons why you should consider a move to New York, but here are five:

The people

You won’t find a diversity of language and culture like this anywhere else in the world. New York is home to as many as 800 languages and its resident population represents nearly 200 countries, all blending together to create a mufti-cultural environment which thrives on its very diversity.

Shopping

Boutiques, shops, street fairs, sidewalk vendors, bookstores, music stores, clothing shops, provide the opportunities to shop till you drop. The sheer accessibility of shops is enough to make any diva swoon. Everything from groceries, to home goods, to the latest runway fashions are never more than a few blocks or a subway hop away from home.

Activities

Boredom is simply nonexistent in New York. From monthly events in Central Park, to the shows, tours and boating trips that cruise past Lady Liberty both day and night, New York is constantly abuzz with activity. Chocolate walks, ghost walks, cupcake crawls… the list is endless.

The single scene

New York is ranked by the leading magazines as being the number one place to live as a single in the US, whether you’re looking for someone or are content to remain unattached. The cafes, bars, restaurants, art galleries, walks in the park and the simple joie de vivre of City life mean that singles are never alone unless they want to be.

Affordable Options (relatively speaking)

Although New York has a reputation for high rents and high pricing, salaries are proportionately higher, and the rents are coming down. Finding affordable housing may take some research but unlike English-speaking cab drivers, it does exist. Although apartment hunting may seem daunting, New York storage is affordable, reducing the complications of a move.

If you follow me on twitter/4Square you always see me checking in at the gym, but every once in a while I like to try working out at home, especially in the mornings (waking up is hard!)

As 2012 begins and my fitness goals are renewed, I’ve been lucky enough to start the New Year with a preview subscription to Gaiam TV. Gaiam TV is like Netflix for those of us who want to get fit. They’re the first streaming video subscription that specializes in health, wellness, yoga, fitness and personal development and its a great way to try something new, like yoga or a crazy Jillian Michaels workout in the privacy of your own home.

The channels are all rated by viewers and I was able to select based on my goals (i.e. weight loss, strength, etc.). Instead of buying DVD’s that will ultimately bore me I can switch it up each week based on what I want to learn and best of all, I can use the service on my phone/iPad!

For $9.95 a month Gaiam offers unlimited viewing and they’re offering a free 10-day trial to TBGB readers.

Enjoy!

Most people know the basics when it comes to dental care. We are taught at very young ages how and how frequently to brush and floss our teeth, and we learn that not brushing leads to cavities. However, there are other aspects of dental health over which we may have less control. For example, the things we eat and drink might make our teeth less white, or we may occasionally chip our teeth or even knock them out. Dental websites like topdentists.com have solutions to some of these problems, but for some of the more severe problems that people sometimes face with their teeth, it becomes necessary to turn to cosmetic procedures.

One example of a problem that can be solved with a cosmetic dental procedure is when teeth refuse to whiten. In these cases, dentists can apply veneers (sometimes made of porcelain) to the surface of the teeth. These veneers both present a whiter appearance and provide protection for the future, and generally last for quite a while.

For chipped teeth, the most common and simple solution is usually a procedure known as dental bonding. Basically, this is when a dentist applies a material to your teeth that essentially builds itself onto the tooth to replace a chipped or cracked area. This is a completely painless and relatively quick procedure that results in the strengthening and rebuilding of a tooth that cannot be achieved by natural means.

For the most part, the cosmetic dental procedures listed in this article are only for cases that involve severe or unnatural damage. For example, if your teeth really are too thoroughly stained to be fixed by typical whitening methods, or if you happen to chip or damage a tooth, you may have to turn to a cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, most of these procedures are also quite simple and painless, as well as very effective.

Waking up to find a days supply of freshly made meals on my doorstep has been pretty awesome.

As I mentioned before, I was given a free trial of The Fresh Diet, a food delivery program that provides healthy foods in appropriate portions. I was using The Fresh Diet to shake things up in my weight loss journey. As a single girl I was getting into a bit of a cooking rut and the idea of having delicious meals without prepping, chopping, cooking them myself was too good to pass up.

The Fresh Diet allows you to select your meals for each day (they have over 400 meal options), but I opted to let them select meals for me. I told them my likes and dislikes and then let them send me what they wanted. This was great because it opened me up to food selections I wouldn’t normally make.

Some of my favorite meals were:

The Salmon Wrap lunch

The Quiche breakfast

The Veggie Burger Patty & Vegetables dinner

Each day I was sent 3 meals and 2 snacks and although the portions took some getting used to, I always had food left over at the end of the day because I was full.

On top of it all I was able to lose a few pounds which was great with the wedding I’m in!

If you’d like to try The Fresh Diet TBGB readers are eligible to buy one week and get the next week 50% off. Just enter promo code “single” to redeem this offer at checkout.

As many of you know, I’m on a mission to lose some weight. So far I’ve lost close to 30 pounds (woot! woot!) by eating well and spending lots of time in the gym. While I keep my workouts varied, when it comes to my eating I’m getting bored!

I’m a good cook, but right now its just me, I don’t have a husband/kids to cook for. Out of convenience, my life can sometimes become a merry-go-round of microwave meals at work and then easy cooking for dinner. I’ve been trying to shake things up with my eating by trying one new recipe a week and that’s been helpful and fun.

Last week, I was approached with a new opportunity when it came to my eating, the folks at The Fresh Diet have offered me a free trial of their food delivery program. The idea of having yummy food without having to cook it was appealing to me, so I decided to try them out. I went online and told them what I do and don’t eat and left the rest up to them! I’m curious to see how this works out, but from what I’ve heard its a pretty awesome program. Another blogger friend of mine is doing a free trial and she said, “Every morning I wake up to find a bag full of fresh healthy meals outside my door. Pretty much my dream come true.”

The lovely folks at Fresh Diet are offering a great deal for TBGB readers: Buy One Week, Get Your Next Week 50% off. Your daily meal plan will include 3 meals, 2 snacks and delivery. The promo code to redeem this offer is “single.”

Anyway, I’ll update you in a few days to let you know how things are going….

Have any of you ever done a meal delivery plan like this before?

When AOL and Jeep asked me what inspired me, the answer was easy… Love and Music.

I’ve been very lucky to have a life filled with love and music. Everything I do boils back to those two things… I moved to New York to study music and of course love was always in the back of my mind . I grew up in a house full of love and music and most of my friends are loving and musically talented.

My musical collection is pretty huge and I have a memory attached to all of the songs I love. While I’m blogging I’m constantly listening to music because my favorite artists inspire me.

So when I created my inspiration board on the AOL Jeep site, it was all about love and music because I’m all about love and music. Who knew I was so simple!

You can create your inspiration board here. Creating one enters you for a chance to win a $50 gift card weekly, and all inspiration board creators are entered for a chance to win a $4500 gift card.