Gettin’ Down and Dirty

What if you were forced to wake up at 5 in the morning, dress up in a Halloween costume, run and bike through a vigorous course, scale a wall, and army crawl through a mud pit big enough and gross enough to intimidate pigs? What if I told you that people voluntarily did this every year? About 1,500 participants signed up this year to indulge in the annual Muddy Buddy race. Our thoughts went something like this: “it’s early, it’s physically demanding, and by all hygienic standards, it’s disgusting. We must do it!” Team Phix couldn’t resist the challenge, or the chance to throw mud all over their kids (as opposed to the other way around, for once) and not get in trouble for it. 

    

Before the first race began, at about 7 a.m. there was a costume contest with some pretty awesome prizes given out to the winners. Remember, however these fun-loving thrill seekers dressed up was how they had to race! Because Muddy Buddy is a team event (two racers per team), there were a lot of team costumes too. Everyone had a great time with this part of the event!

Next, came time for the adult Muddy Buddy event. Team Phix had 2 different duos getting muddy for this one. This race was a tough and extremely muddy, yet fun one. The official Muddy Buddy website describes this course by saying, “At the start of the race, one team member will run and one will ride the bike. At the 1st obstacle, the rider will drop the bike, complete the obstacle, and begin running. The runner will arrive, complete the obstacle, find their bike and begin riding. Teams will continue leapfrogging each other through the entire course. At the end of the race, racers crawl through the infamous Mud Pit crossing the finish line together as official “Muddy Buddies”!”

               

             

             Now time for good, old fashioned, parent-child quality bonding time…Mini Muddy Buddy! This smaller course calls for good times for everyone. The little chicks and dudes finally get to roll around in the mud without being yelled at by the big bad parents who don’t want their entire month’s budget to go to interior detailing. On the other end of the spectrum, if mom or dad happens to “accidentally” push their kid face first into the mud after that hour long whine-fest in the car earlier that morning, so be it J Of course, I’m just kidding, and everyone had a great time getting muddy together!

               

                                                    
             Once the final races ended, the MC gathered everyone together at the main stage for the award ceremony, to honor the fastest mud-crawlers out there. After a strenuous, and tiring course like this, everyone needed to stay hydrated, refreshed, and energized. Guess who provided free refreshments for everyone? That’s right, your friends at Phix did, and it sure was a hit! Awards and Phix were handed out to the participants as well as bystanders. Although Team Phix did not place in the timed awards, seeing the hundreds of smiles on everyone’s face was prize enough for us!

As we took the Phix tent down and got ready to leave, something incredible occurred right behind us. Earlier in the day, we saw a large group of people racing in tuxedos and dresses. We thought this was part of the costume contest; but it was so much more than that. As we looked behind us, there was an altar set up, a group of bridesmaids, a best man, and a very, very muddy bride and groom. There was a REAL wedding happening right in front of our eyes, after they all participated in Muddy Buddy! If that isn’t the perfect way to end a great day full of laughter, memories, and well, mud, then I don’t know what is!

Stay muddy my friends,

Phix

5 Most Dangerous Holiday Hazards You Might Neglect

Everyone loves the Holidays. But it won’t be all fun and games if you neglect some hidden, holiday-exclusive dangers that might ruin your fun and even threaten your life. Here are the most overlooked holiday hazards with the highest incidence rates. Check some of these tips out so you can avoid any injures and enjoy a worry-free and relaxing holiday party!

Deep-Fried-Turkey Fireballs

From 1998 to 2007, there were at least 138 incidents involving turkey fryers that caused 36 injuries and more than $7.8 million in property loss. Your best bet is to avoid the complicated procedure of using one altogether. Not to mention, it takes longer to prepare the turkey and is a poor health choice in a season already full of gluttony! But if you must deep-fry your bird, follow your fryer's instructions carefully, and listen to the safety tips.

Poisonous Holiday Plants

Keep the holly or mistletoe away from the kids and pets. The man-made pine cones or even real falling berries can be toxic and probably pose a hazard of poison and choking.

Holiday Heart Attacks

It's the worst time of year for heart trouble, with heart-related deaths peaking in late December and early January Heavy holiday stress ignoring chest pain in fear of disrupting the festive mood, skipping meds in the hustle and bustle of things, and understaffed hospitals all contribute to this deadly hazard. So keep your routine medicine intake the same and of course, moderation of everything is the key.

Flammable Christmas Trees

Each year, more than 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees, resulting in as many as 40 deaths and 100 injuries. Even though Christmas trees cause the fewest holiday-related fires, they account for the greatest percentage of deaths, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So how about buying a flame-resistant artificial one?

Decorating Disasters

Decorations sure are pretty, but the fact that more than 5,000 people are injured in decorating-related falls each holiday season is not. To make sure you're not a statistic this year, do the following when stringing lights or hanging mistletoe:

• Check that the ladder is on secure and level ground.

• Space the ladder 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet high it reaches.

• Stay centered between rails and do not overreach.

• Don't step on the top two rungs.

• For roof access, extend the ladder at least 3 feet above the roof.

• Keep the top and the bottom of the ladder clear of obstacles.

• Make sure the ladder is locked open.

Keep those tips in mind and now you can go have fun!

Be safe,

Your Friends at Phix

Happy Veteran’s Day

Today we want to pay our tribute to the veterans who left their loved ones, went far away from home to devote themselves to serve the U.S. Armed Forces. We know freedom is not free. You, our dearest veterans, are sacrificing your own freedom in exchange of the freedom and goodness of others. There will never be enough gratitude and salute we can express to you. Not just today, you are living on our mind every day. Here, the whole Phix team would love to present the most sincere appreciation to all the veterans. Thank you! God Bless America! 

Veteran’s Day Special Deal:

Click here  (http://www.phix.com/free-trial-lp-coupon.aspx) to get a FREE box of Phix Energy for only $2.99!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Phix

New Year’s Resolution: Stick to my New Year’s Resolution

It’s that time of year again. The time to remorsefully overindulge in holiday feasts, justifying every extra helping with the (empty) promise that come January 1^st, we’re going to exercise every day-- harder than ever before! We’ve all made that ‘get in shape’ resolution that we attack gung-ho for about a week, before slipping back into old habits. But hey, when the whole family is over happily sharing a meal and getting nostalgic, we’re not asking you to push aside the turkey and stuffing and eat a salad instead. That’s cruel and unusual punishment. Instead, let’s launch a preemptive strike on the inevitable gluttony, and make our holiday experiences as guilt-free as possible.

Have you ever felt your health habits slipping—or just flat out falling? After a few months of avoiding the gym and not worrying about your caloric intake, you figure, “I can just hit the gym hard for a little while and get my body back,” right?  WRONG. You cannot overturn months of bad habits in a week, or two. We’ve put together a list of some tips to make sure Santa is the only one rocking the over-hang gut this season J

Tip#1à Bad habits die hard. Don’t wait until January to begin your New Year’s resolution. Get into a great workout plan starting right now, so when the holiday season rolls around, you will have some wiggle room (get it?). You will have a head start on the annual overindulgence. Also, you will have formed good workout habits before you hit your ’desperation mode” (err…I mean New Year’s resolution) and will be able to avoid overworking yourself during that first week causing you to quit. You will be much more likely to stick to your routine and continue working out, while keeping that extra weight off, as your body will have adjusted to your new routine.

Tip#2à Pace yourself. Believe it or not, you actually burn LESS calories when you start a new workout or activity because your body is not used to the new workout and must overcompensate for it. It generally takes about 30 days for your body to become used to a new routine and to begin adjusting and burning the optimal amount of calories. This is why the majority of people who start a new exercise regimen quit after less than a month. Once the 30 day adjustment period has passed, they tend to stick with their program for a much longer time. Our advice is to rotate intense workouts with lighter ones, and not to go too hard on back-to-back days, causing a burn-out.      

Tip#3à Consistency is key. As previously mentioned, it is important to stick to your workout plan for at least 30 days to allow your body to become acclimated to your new routine. It is better to work out for 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week, than 25 minutes a day, twice a week. Even if you don’t “feel the burn” from the lighter work out, your body is still burning the calories, and you will not be too sore to motivate yourself to hit the treadmill or gym again the next day.

Tip#4à No excuses! If you want to go for a run, but keep telling yourself it’s too cold, then you are making excuses. If a sweatshirt (or UnderArmour) isn’t enough for you and you don’t have a gym membership or a treadmill, there are other options. While you’re watching TV, run in place, alternating high knee kicks, and intervals (increasing and decreasing your pace). During commercial breaks, do pushups (back, bicep, shoulders, pectorals, forearms) and sit-ups (abs, core) as well as couch dips (triceps).  Look at that, you just burned 500 calories watching American Idol!  

If you stick to these 4 simple tips, you can guiltlessly have seconds, while screaming across the dinner table to crazy Uncle Joe to “pass the pumpkin pie!” ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so grab some of those cookies you left out for Santa and don’t feel bad about it!

To keep you energized and healthy for your winter-workouts, don’t forget to grab a Phix before. Depending on the weather, enjoy it hot or cold. If you haven’t tried a Phix workout yet, you’re in for a treat—try a FREE TRIAL right now!

Enjoy your Holiday Season,

Your friends at Phix

Healthy & Popular Hot Drinks for the Winter

The holiday season is right around the corner. Whether you are having a family Thanksgiving get-together to bake a turkey, hosting a Christmas bash with your loved ones to decorate the tree, or just inviting the couple next door over to have a quiet night in, handing out a mouthwatering and aromatic hot drink will warm your guests right up on a cold winter night; however, hot chocolate, eggnog and punches often have a lot of calories-- and not much else going for them. Today, your friends at Phix have lightened up some of the most popular festive drinks, so you can impress your guests and watch your waistline at the same time! From elegant heated cocktails to low-sugar hot chocolate, you can find something for everyone all winter long.

Warm Spiced Cider Punch

This is a nice warm-up punch, especially when there is a nip in the air. The aroma of the apple cider, orange juice, and spices are wonderful—and become more wonderful as the punch simmers in the slow cooker.

Sleigh Driver

This scrumptious non-alcoholic punch adds pears, cranberries and vanilla to the traditional hot cider.

Midnight Snowstorm

The light crème de menthe creates a minty, chocolate flavor, but in a very smooth, creamy way. Use white crème de menthe inside the drink and add green crème de menthe on top of the whipped cream for a festive holiday color!

Pear-Ginger Shooters

Fresh ginger and cinnamon infuse this chilled pear soup. Serve in large shot glasses. Guests may even add a splash of vodka, if they like.

    

Sugar-Free Hot Dark Cocoa

Dark cocoa has more phenolic phytochemicals than regular cocoa. Cocoa has twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times the amount found in green tea. It not only tastes good, but it’s good for you!

Holiday Hot Drink Mix

This is a great mix to have in the cupboard for cold, wintry days. Using strawberry drink mix instead of chocolate makes it fun for kids of all ages. For gifts, place the mix in a pretty jar and attach directions to fix one serving.

Hot Phix

Did you think that energy drinks are were only good served cold, on a hot summer day before a workout? Guess again! Phix can also be your afternoon warm-up in the winter or a fruity holiday treat, as long as you prepare it the way we recommend. Find a British crystal glass or a white porcelain coffee mug, pour your favorite Phix mix in and blend with 10 oz hot water. The smooth and natural taste combined with the fresh, fruity aroma will not only warm you and your guests up in the cold weather, but it will also prepare you for your holiday party with sustained energy! 

     

Leave a comment if you are interested in knowing how to make any of the drinks featured in this blog. We will shoot you our exclusive secret recipes. J

Cheers,

Your Friends at Phix