Are you looking for an alternative to greasy hamburgers? Or perhaps you're ready to explore vegetarian options. Gather is looking for 10 members to sample and write reviews on BOCA products for the group Balanced Living.
For a chance to receive a coupon ($3.99 value) to purchase a BOCA product with, answer the following question in the comment field below:
How do you live well and stay balanced in your everyday life?
For a chance to win a coupon, your comment must be submitted by June 25th. By receiving a coupon for a free sample, you are agreeing to write and submit a review to BalancedLiving.gather.com by July 18th.
We look forward to reading all of your helpful tips! For more, visit Balanced Living.


Comments: 70
My other tried and true is H.A.L.T.: not getting , too hungry, angry, lonely or tired. If more than one of these is out of balance, I tend to make increasingly bad decisions for myself.
Sorry to rest on adages but the simplicity of both are my keys to balance and health.
I began by incorporating more vegetables and fruit into my diet and learned how to read labels to make better, more informed choices when purchasing food. I started buying items with more fiber, lower fat and fewer calories and also decreased my portions.
I also try to walk every day, stretch and do core strengthening exercises. I drink water, water and more water!
Just yesterday I began a 2 week cleansing program which I intend on making a habit every season.
"How do you stay healthy and balanced in your everyday life?"
I eat less, MOVE more and watch the company I keep. I also write decent reviews..
;)
And I've been taking one-a-day vitamins to make sure I get all the "healthy stuff" I need, even when my diet doesn't.
I also cook from scratch most of the time, and make sure that I read nutrition labels for everything I buy. I make sure that my family eats at least one fresh fruit and vegetable each day, along with a variety of frozen and/or canned. I have no problem making sure that my 2 year old gets enough fiber, because he likes things like beans, fresh fruits, whole grain breads and pastas, cereals, etc. My husband, on the other hand, won't eat a lot of that stuff, so I sneak fiber in his food in other ways! lol
We have a couple of hours each week that we spend together as a family, without the TV on, because I think that family is an important part of a balanced life. My husband and I also each spend some time alone with our child , and time alone together.
One of the things I do is to be as invested in what I'm doing at each moment as possible. I've cut down multitasking as much as possible. When I eat, that is what I focus on; tasting each flavor, feeling each texture, chewing instead of inhaling!
I used to snack when I was reading or watching TV, but now I keep a glass of ice water at hand to sip instead.
I wake up in the morning and work out 30 minutes to an hour. I eat a low fat diet but do occasionally like a "bad for you goodie". I love meat but worry that there's too much fat in it. My husband comes from a family with heart disease. His father and grandfather both died of a heart attack. His grandmother has had at least 2 heart surgeries. He and his 3 brothers have been told to watch what they eat and exercise regularly. I would love to be able to try Boca and see if it fits into our lifestyle.
Thank you! :)
I believe healthy living is so important. I'm a vegetarian, and try to consume as many whole foods as possible. I drink lots of water, stay active, and make sure to take time to enjoy life. I believe that an evening spent laughing with friends can be more beneficial than any medicine!
This year, I planted my own vegetable and fruit garden from seed. Now when I want a yummy salad, I can go out back and pick some fresh romaine, arugula, peppers, radishes and onion!
Not only is this living well, but I've done it with my own two hands.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a staple in our house, and so is soy milk, tofu, edamame, and soy yogurt. We very very rarely eat anything fried and fast food for us is a no no.
I would love to try out the Boca products and submit a review
Until about a year ago, meat was a big part of our diet. Since then we have learned that meat can make you feel miserable. We first learned this while traveling. We noticed that when we ate a heavy meal at a restaurant, we felt tired and sleepy verses the times we ate fruit and veggies that we packed ourselves.
We are learning new ways everyday to stay healthier. Mental health is as important as Physical health. Addressing stress immediately and getting enough rest is an important part of living a well balanced life.
Vacations and time alone is also important to us. We see to it that we make time for ourselves as a couple and as individuals to give us the ability to deal better with the normal stress in our lives.
I love watching those numbers on the scale go down, but I'm happy with losing inches as well. It's amazing at the difference in how I look and how I feel. I feel so much better and have so much more energy and drive. I can do things that I haven't been able to do in years and it's an amazing feeling.
I have gone from a size 18 to a size 11! I started out weighing 215 pounds. I currently weigh 185 pounds. My goal is to lose another 10 - 15 pounds! My husband weighs 176 pounds, another 10 pounds and I will weigh less than him! :)
By making small and simple changes, I have seen a huge difference! Walking to get the mail instead of driving! Parking on the outer parking lot instead of as close to the store as possible. The little things really do add up and make a difference!
Here are some other small changes I have made in my life that have made a BIG difference!
cut out 90% of pop/soda/coffee
smaller portions
smaller bowls and plates (this really DOES work)
walking 2 - 3 miles every single day
hula hoop 3 - 4 days a week (I have a 4 lb exercise hula hoop)
elliptical machine 3 - 5 days a week
exercise ball core workout 2 - 3 days a week
healthier snack options (the 100 calorie snacks are a lifesaver)
drinking LOTS of water (even flavored water, diet green tea and crystal light)
taking the stairs instead of the elevator
using the downstairs bathroom during the day
Simple -- All things in moderation!
Some food.
Some drink.
Some activity.
Some positive thinking!
BOCA makes the best veggie-burgers.
Haven't tried any other of their products.
And to add my 2 cents worth of opinion.
I live well and try to stay balanced by NOT eating greasy hamburgers, hot dogs or many processed foods.
I have given up soda, mayo, salad dressings (except for balsamic vinegar) using strawberries or just no dressing instead. I use no butter or cream, instead I use virgin olive oil, which is good for my heart. No chocolate chips or chocolate, though cocoa is okay.
I keep my salt intake down, and drink tons of water every day. I got cholesterol test results back within the last few days, and my number is 150. I know I can do better and will. I have always been a lap swimmer and watched my fat intake, but as time goes on I eat more fresh foods, less greasy foods, and feel better. I DO eat meat, though lately it has been mostly chicken.
In Sept of 2006 I had a triple bypass and a stroke afterwards due to the hospital staff letting me bleed out 5 liters of blood. I ate well at the time, and was told my clogged arteries were due to genetics. I made an excellent recovery, coming almost all the way back from that massive stroke (and had NO heart damage)
Take it from someone who has lived through it, heart surgery HURTS, and even though they said it was genetics that got me, if I had eaten then the way I do now, who knows, I might not ever have had that surgery.
I wasn't suppose to live through what I did, but I never want to go thru any of it again.
If you want cookies, use applesauce INSTEAD of butter or margerine. And eat oats. Cheerios or oatmeal cookies (homemade) and GIVE UP EATING GARBAGE.
I know I am preaching here, but the life you save may be your own!
STEP AWAY FROM THE M&M's.
Partially or fully hydogenated ANYTHING is the killer, along with saturated fats.
You asked:
"How do you stay healthy and balanced in your everyday life?"
We eat well - meaning fresh grown from our organic garden or organically grown from the local veggie stand and grocery store. Can't wait to see how the cantaloupe does this year:)
We have started eating smaller portions and less meat. Although the BF doesn't know it, I just use our smaller plates and use half the meat in the casserole or stew, substituting more veggies.
Olive oil is a staple in our house. I do like my butter though and will not consider a substitute.
We look for organic and we only purchase free roaming chickens and their eggs.
We both drink plenty of water and herbal teas. I like coffee (the newest studies say it is good for you and in particular for women's hearts - make up your mind - scientific and medical community:)
Not that I will be swayed one way or the other, after all I am in command of my own body.
We try for enough rest and exercise, but admittedly we could do better, working on that.
I have decided to cut or change the type of milk and dairy products I eat - so no more ice cream and I'm trying goat cheese and will educate myself a bit more on the subject. I have arthritis and gout issues and it seems there is a food connection.
We pay attention to the labels and we use almost no sugar, min of salt - I cook with my home grown herbs instead, much better for you and tasty to boot.
Wine and beer in moderation, good family and friend connections, fun activities for mind and body go a long way to keep us happy and balanced.
Now that I am older I take more time to just hang out in the garden and do the things I enjoy - it's all good, if you decide to make it so. Nature is my muse, my relaxation and my energy boost.
Well, that is all you'll get for 3.99 - so let's hope your product is worth it:)
And exercise... because I have Multiple Sclerosis but am lucky enough to be able to exercise, I do. It is my best defense against the MS and all other foes...
Body, Mind, and Spirit would all get equal attention.
Body:
I can't do Yoga because of my injury so I started palate classes once a week. Then after 6 weeks I upped it to 2 classes per week. We neglect the one muscle group that protects us the most, our core muscles. I changed my eating habits to small meals 6 times a day. I started taking an organic probotic multi-vitamin each day. I walked everywhere I could rather than take the car. I started with a mile a day and slowly increased that based on the feed back my body gave me.
Mind:
I started to read and watch everything I could about nutrition, muscles, and health in general. I watched positive films and documentaries about people overcoming and prevailing.
I began to meditate to work on pushing out negative thoughts and encouraging positive ones.
Spirit:
I start each day with a thanks to god. A prayer if you will. I pray each day as often as I like. I read about all the religions observing and respecting the common ground they all share.
I practice these steps everyday. It's not always easy but it has made an amazing difference in my life.
On Oct. 1/07 I stopped eating all beef and beef by products. On Jan 2 /08 I stopped eating pork and all pork by products. On this July 4th I will stop eating chicken and all chicken by products. At that point I will only eat Turkey and Fish. I hope to eliminate both by Oct of this year on my birthday. I have to tell you that Fish will be the hardest because of my enjoyment of it. During the same time period I have increased my eating of fruits, nuts and vegetables and I rediscovered discovered tofu.
Soybeans which tofu is made from is grown all over the Midwest. Yet few there know how to eat it. Those fine folks also have higher rates of heart disease probably because they eat meat and not vegetables as a source of protein.
I am now strong enough to work out 6 days a week. I still need to ice my back down after each workout. I do palates, cycling, Core conditioning, and aqua classes. I can lift light weights to tone my muscles but no heavy weight to build muscle. well, not yet at lest.
Over the past 15 months I have lost 45 lbs of fat and gained 9 lbs of muscle. I look younger, have more endurance, and just feel great everyday, almost. I will always have pain in my body from the injury but I can live an active lifestyle. I thank my change in lifestyle for that and of course God.
I have never heard of your product but look forward to trying it. I will put it on my shopping list so I can.
This was not easy for me. It was hard and some days I just wanted to quit, but I didn't and it has made all the difference. So if a beer drinking meat eater like me can change his lifestyle. Trust me when I say anyone can. You just have to find your motivation. Mine was not being bed-ridden for the rest of my life. What will be yours?
I try to eat healthy every day. I am currently on the weight watchers plan and their plan includes all the food groups and exercise. I do not buy candy or other fattening snacks to keep around the house. For snacks I stick to fruits and veggies. I am not a vegetarian, but I do try to cut out red meat where possible. BOCA burgers in particular are a favorite at my house. We have replaced white bread with whole wheat bread and all of our pasta is now whole wheat. When we go out to eat, I try to select menu items that I know are not fried and immediately box up half of my meal as soon as it arrives at the table. This helps a lot with portion control.
I make time three times a week to swim laps in the pool at my condo and try to go for a walk at least once a week.
Living well and keeping balanced?
Be Optimistic (even when you don't feel like it)
Love
Eat
Pray/Meditate
Indulge in Music/Art/Books/Knowledge
:-)
I am currently trying to incorporate many things into my everyday life. I am trying to eat a low fat, low calorie diet rich in fruits and veggies. I have also added 8 glasses of water daily along with daily exercise. In order to fully balance my everyday life, I have also added some personal time with God too. Other than that I try to get a balance between work, family and relaxation.
I exercise at least three days a week, I drink lots of water, eat lots of fruits and veggies, and I do my best to get my protein.
I don't eat any meat, but for health reasons I do feel it is important for me to eat cheese, eggs and drink milk. I want strong bones.
I also try to get out and get some fresh air as often as possible, and my sons and I grow a lot of our own veggies and herbs to get them pesticide free.
I think part of living well is doing what you enjoy, and since I do love a great meal, we do order Indian cuisine once in a while, since there are so many vegetarian meals to choose from. Photography and writing are other things I enjoy, so these need to have a big space in my life in order for me to live well.
I also make sure love to take my kids on exploration adventures in our area, and this is a great way for all of us to stay fit, gain knowledge and get some fresh air.
After having a baby, who is now 16 months old, I looked in the mirror a lot at my body and thought, "well . . . I have a baby now, so it's okay . . . ." Meaning, it's okay that my tummy has a pouch and my arms are like jelly and my thighs are getting heavy. Then, 6 weeks ago, I snapped out of it and realized I didn't want to spend life settling. I wanted to be proud of my body and feel as strong and beautiful as I did when I was pregnant!
So, living well and staying balanced to me means exercising 6 days a week, eating healthy foods, giving up red meat and soda, taking a yoga class and making sure to spend plenty of fun and active time with my toddler and my husband. I love my new life! I have so much more energy and I look and feel so much better! Best of all, I know my son is going to grow up with a mom who provides a good example of healthy balance, and that is one of the best gifts, aside from unconditional love, that I could give him.
"How do you live well and stay balanced in your everyday life?"
First off, let me say that a recent bout with cancer -- according to my doctor -- had NOTHING to do with an unhealthy lifestyle, but was simply something that I could not have avoided with preventive measures, no matter how healthy a lifestyle I led. That being said . . .
I love to exercise.
Water -- consumer a good deal of it is key.
Powdered vitamins are a must.
Lots of fish (I like ocean fish -- snapper, cod, and I like salmon)
The right types of food -- fresh fruits and veggies
Also key and PRIMARY are PROBIOTICS -- this cannot be stressed enough.
So: exercise, diet, and state of mind are key to staying balanced.
I cook for us everyday and try to keep a well balanced diet. I try to use the food pryamids to help show me what we need for daily dosages etc.
Fiber has became important as we get older I know that ; )
I make a lot of salads and vegtables too.
I don't live as healthy as I'd like to - and right now, I'm trying to get back on my diet and lose enough weight that I can actually use my Wii Fit.
To keep it simple, I stay true to my values and live from an authentic place. I always try to approach situations (opportunities, as I like to call them,) with a positive mindset.
Also, being of service to my community and world helps me to stay grounded and balanced.
Warmly,
Greg Halpen
The Gay Guy's Love Coach
www.TheGayGuysLoveCoach.com
I try to eat more fruits and vegetables. I exercise regularly. I take supplements. I really try to reduce my intake of meats, and am interested in trying vegetarian meat- substitutes. I'm highly interested in trying Boca products!
I prepare homecooked meals every night with few exceptions and try to always include fresh vegetables and whole grains. I always prepare extra so that I have enough to bring with me to work for lunch. It beats the heck out of the junk my co-workers consume..greasey fast food burgers and the like. I drink several liters of water a day and avoid sugary beverages.
I started a few years ago when I started experiencing some health problems. I have to watch what I eat, how much of it and when I eat it. I have made slight changes that my family did not seem to notice to where they are eating more healthier as well. We rarely eat out. But when we do we have started choosing healthier alternatives.
I also require the tv to be off so many hours a day and the kids to be outside. This has gotten them more active and my 7 and 9 year old learned to ride bikes this past spring. Walking around the block with our dogs are a must. The kids as well as the dogs look forward to this.
We also play more games. My teen ager even gets in to doing this. As he has gotten much better at playing monopoly. I think he enjoys winning.
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