Blend 2013 has come and gone.  After months of planning, countless emails sent and received and 120 swag bags stuffed, we can honestly say that the weekend was BETTER than we could have hoped for!  Today, we thank our SPONSORS.  Without the support of healthy living companies, Blend Retreat could not flourish.  You need money and resources to pull off a conference – companies that care about bloggers and want to support a “fellowship” focused weekend.  We couldn’t do this without YOU!  Many thanks! 

1)  Chobani, 2)  Muesli Fusion, 3)  Attune Foods, 4)  Velata, 5)  The Good Bean, 6)  Mrs. Meyer’s, 7)  Swanson Vitamins, 8)  Onnit,

9)  Traditional Medicinals, 10)  Recharge, 11)  Plant Fusion, 12)  Justin’s Nut Butter, 13)  Core Power, 14)  PROBAR, 15)  The Simply Bar,

16)  Fitmixer, 17)  Bob’s Red Mill, 18)  Detour Bar, 19)  Larabar, 20)  Wild Tree, 21)  P.S.  I Adore You,

22)  All Pro Science, 23)  Living Proof Gear, 24)  Onnit, 25)  The Simply Bar,

26) Essential Eating, 27)  Popchips, 28)  VEGA, 29)  Beanilla

Unpictured:  The Laughing Cow

THANK YOU!!

Janetha, Katie & Lindsay

Holy cow. We get to see you guys THIS WEEK. Like…four days from now. We are so excited we could explode.

Here is the last of our Sponsor Question and Answer posts. Read on to find out more about Blue Diamond Almonds, how they’re involved in the retreat, and be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom.

See you so, so soon!

Q: How long has Blue Diamond Almonds been around? Can you tell us a little bit about how and why you got started?

A:Blue Diamond Almonds has been around for 103 years – we were founded in 1910. We’re

headquartered in Sacramento, California, and we’re a cooperative owned by half of California’s almond growers, who produce over 80 percent of the world almond supply.

Q:What products does Blue Diamond Almonds specialize in?

A: Almonds! We are “The Almond People,” after all. We offer almonds in a variety of flavors, from Whole Natural to Wasabi & Soy Sauce. Other products in the Blue Diamond family include Nut Chips, Nut Thins and Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

Q: What sets Blue Diamond Almonds apart from your competitors?

A: No other brand of almonds captures the flavor, freshness and crunch of Blue Diamond. Our secret is our oil roasting process that safeguards the freshness and natural flavor of our premium almonds.

Q: We are SO excited to have Blue Diamond Almonds at Blend Retreat. How will you be involved this year?

We’re very excited to be the closing ceremony sponsor. Every attendee will get an assortment of Blue Diamond Almonds goodies to take home, so make sure you leave room in your bag!

Q: We are excited to try your products at the retreat! But maybe we don’t want to wait… so tell us, where can we find your products for purchase?

A: You can find Blue Diamond Almonds at retailers nationwide – to find a particular flavor in your area, check out our product locator: http://www.bluediamond.com/applications/locator/index.cfm?navid=14.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Blue Diamond Almonds?

A: We’d love if you connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!

Giveaway!

Blue Diamond Almonds is giving away six (6) cans of Whole Natural to two (2) of you!

To enter: Leave a comment telling us your go-to flavor of Blue Diamond Almonds

For a BONUS entry, tweet: I want to win @BlueDiamond Almonds from @BlendRetreat! Enter Here: http://blendretreat.com/blog/

Hey, everyone. Can you believe Blend Retreat is A WEEK AWAY?!? AHHHH.. so excited!

We are excited to see all of you. Things will kick off in style on Friday night with a cocktail party sponsored by Silk. We had a chance to touch bases with them this week and are super excited for the three signature Silkology beverages the bartenders will be mixing up at the party. We had a little Q & A session with Silk… check it out! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end!

How long has Silk been around? Can you tell us a little bit about how and why you got started?

Silk was founded in 1996 on a promise to make the world a healthier place. From the very beginning we have believed that plant-based foods are the best way to nourish people and the planet. You can learn more about us at www.silk.com/our-story.

What product(s) does Silk specialize in?

Today Silk specializes in plant-based milks including soymilk, almondmilk and coconutmilk – but that’s not all! Silk also makes other creamy and delicious non-dairy items including creamer, yogurt, Fruit & Protein and Iced Latté.  

What sets Silk apart from your competitors?

As the leader in plant-based beverages Silk is committed to making the world a healthier place through socially responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices and has a legacy of using and promoting renewable energy. The main ways we show our commitment to those practices are through:

·         Silk’s entire beverage portfolio is certified by the Non-GMO Project’s Product Verification Program, a system designed to test whether a product has met defined standards for the presence of GMOs through third party verification and rigorous traceability, segregation and testing standards. Silk is leading supporter of the Non-GMO Project, a nonprofit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, farmers and consumers dedicated to ensuring the availability of non-GMO foods and beverages, and a supporter of the Just Label It national initiative.

·         Water is an issue that’s particularly close to our hearts, and we’re happy to report that choosing Silk over dairy milk is a huge water-saver. But that’s just the beginning of how we’re pitching in for our planet’s waterways. We’re also helping restore the mighty Colorado River Basin by becoming a charter sponsor of Change the Course, a campaign led by the National Geographic Society, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and Participant Media. Since the beautiful Colorado winds through our own backyard, this is one cause where local and global really come together. 

·         Over the last few years, Silk has worked closely with Conservation International,® a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature and the wellbeing of humanity, to develop a Responsible Soybean Sourcing and Production Program. This program helps guarantee the quality Silk consumers demand while also benefiting soy-growing communities.

·         We purchase renewable energy certificates from the nonprofit organization, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to offset the electricity used in the production of our products at company-owned facilities.

We are SO excited to have Silk at Blend Retreat. How will you be involved this year?

Silk is so excited to be sponsoring the first event of the retreat, the cocktail hour and we can’t wait to meet all the bloggers in attendance! Last year, we launched a series of “Silkology” recipes that brought the art of mixology together with the delicious flavors of Silk.

These included all kinds of cocktail drink recipes that can be made with Silk and with or without alcohol. You can check out all the recipes on our Silkology Pinterest boards (http://pinterest.com/lovemysilk/silkology-summer/). This year, we’re creating even more Silkology recipes so we thought the cocktail hour at Blend would be the perfect way to introduce some new recipes and show you new, innovative ways to use Silk.

We are excited to try your products at the retreat! But maybe we don’t want to wait.. so tell us, where can we find your products for purchase?

Silk products can be found in most major grocery stores. We have a product locator available on our website where you can track down specific flavors and sizes you’d like to find. http://silk.com/where-to-buy

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Silk?

Silk is also committed to education and Silk’s educational website, soynutrition.com, serves as a resource for health care professionals and consumers, providing facts on soy science and soy nutrition. Information for the site has been provided by industry-leading physicians and nutrition scientists, as well as the Silk Nutrition team, an in-house expert panel.

Silk can be used in many different ways, like in food and drink recipes — hence our Silkology-themed cocktail hour (but you can cook with Silk just as you would with typical dairy milk).

For more information and recipes, visit us on Facebook.com/SilkUS and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @LoveMySilk 

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Silk is offering up TWO ONE YEAR SUPPLIES of Silk! Wowza, that is so generous!

To enter leave a comment answering the question: “What is your favorite type of smoothie or cocktail that could be made with Silk?”

Additional entries:

• Follow @LoveMySilk on Twitter and tweet: “I want to win the @LoveMySilk giveaway from @BlendRetreat #Silkology #blend2013 http://wp.me/p2f2qi-d6″
• Head to Silk’s Facebook page and tell them what your favorite type of smoothie or cocktail that could be made with Silk is. Don’t forget to tell them Blend Retreat sent you!
• Pin this giveaway to Pinterest

Leave an additional comment for each extra entry!

Giveaway winners will be announced next week. Good luck!

Thanks, Silk, we can’t wait to taste your delicious Silkology beverages next week!!

First of all, the winner of the retreat ticket & lodging giveaway:

Congrats!

Today we have a special spotlight from GPP Fitness, our Saturday Boot Camp sponsor!

We had the chance to chat with the owner/founder of GPP, Neil Anderson. His post is below with a Q&A session and a tank giveaway!

****************

So pumped about coming to BLEND this year.  Seriously.  We read a lot of your blogs and are inspired by you.  It’ll be fun to put faces with names.  Even more fun to get to know those faces and names.  Oh, and storm a workout together, ha!

I’ve always been bad at introducing myself, so (if you’ll forgive me) I’m just going to intro us by answering the questionnaire Janetha sent to me.

How long has GPP been around?

GPP has been an official LLC since 2010.  But, the concept has been around for a very long time.  Like, the mid – 1990s.

Can you tell us a little bit about how and why you got started?

GPP was born out of a frustration for the status quo.  We’ve always believed there is a better reason to exercise (for Optimal Health).  Our Advanced Directive is to ensure that exercise and fitness remain the servant – never the master (lots of folks have that messed up).  At GPP we realize that health isn’t about who the fittest person in the world is.  It isn’t about who has the best abs. We think that sort of stuff is silly.  We exercise ONLY so that we can have richer, fuller lives.  Lives not limited by capacity, or self-imposed disease. Funny thing though, there are a LOT of VERY fit folks walking around with six-packs at our place.  Not the pursuit – just a result.

We are minimalists.  We are willing to do ALL it takes to gain our definition of Optimal Health – not one thing more. Instead of putting energy into another workout (we don’t serve our fitness – it serves us), we’d rather put energy into something worthwhile, meaningful and edifying.

With these values (and many more – don’t want to puke on you all at once) we looked around for the perfect program to promote.  Since it didn’t exist.  We created it.  We are a work in progress, but it seems to be a message that a lot of folks are identifying with.

What does GPP specialize in?

We strive to Generally Prepare you Physically (GPP) to:

1. Reap all the benefits of life.

2. Avoid life’s pitfalls

Haha, too general?  OK, here is the thing,  No matter what you want/need to do in life physically – we prepare you for it.  Want/need to cover great distances fast, or slow – we’ve got you.  Want/need to lift heavy things – we’ve got you.  Want/need to prevent disease – got you.  Wan’t/need more energy for playing with kids – done.  etc … better?

What sets GPP apart from other gyms?

Our community.  It is a magic thing to be surrounded by likeminded individuals who understand that Optimal Health is the only worthwhile pursuit for exercise.  It leads to some of the greatest examples of selflessness and humanity I have ever witnessed.

We are SO excited to have GPP at Blend Retreat. How will you be involved this year?

We are pumped too.  Just going to hang out for the entire weekend, soak it all in and meet some amazing folk.  We get to conduct one of the workouts, too.  For those keeping track, that’s a win/win/win!  Well, for us anyway!

We are excited to try your workout at the retreat! But maybe we don’t want to wait.. so tell us, how can we get involved with GPP before then?

Go online and start storming with us right now!  Folks from all over the world work out with us daily.  GPP is for everyone, so we make it available to everyone.  Tomorrow’s workout will generally be posted by 6pm MDT the day before.  We put videos of all the movements so you don’t have to guess what they are.  If you have any questions, drop one to comments.  A GPP Vet will usually answer it within minutes.  Cool folks out there!  Start with THIS one.  All you need is a deck of cards.  I know you’ve seen it before.  It was recently used on the Biggest Loser.  Not sure how Bob found it (made it up?), but before that moment you couldn’t find it outside of our influence.  Folks argue with us about this, but it is true.  Came off the top of my pointy little head.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read a little about us.  Pumped to answer more questions (if you have them) at BLEND.  Even more pumped to rifle some questions at you.  I love what all of you do.  Very into it.  Even more inspired by the team who created this event (Janetha, Katie & Lindsey).  I was lucky enough to meet them last weekend.  Even had some sushi (for the first time – seriously, YUCK) with them.  But, their company was worth it.  Amazing people.  You very rarely get to meet such genuine folk.  See you up there!

***************

GPP is giving away a workout tank top!

To enter:

• Leave a comment below telling us your favorite workout move!
• Follow @GPPFitness on Twitter and tweet: “I want to win a @GPPFitness tank from @BlendRetreat http://wp.me/p2f2qi-cY”
• Post on GPP’s Facebook wall telling them Blend Retreat sent you!

Leave an additional comment for each tweet/FB post.

We will announce a winner on Monday! Good luck!

This week, we’re excited to introduce you to The Laughing Cow (of which I’m sure you need no introduction)! Their portion-controlled, individually wrapped cheese products are some of our favorites! We were THRILLED when they signed on as our BREAKFAST SPONSOR for Saturday morning (we’ve seen the menu and it’s going to be amazing!). Read more about The Laughing Cow below and then enter to win your own Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread prize pack!

——————–

1.How long has The Laughing Cow been around? Can you tell us a little bit about how and why you got started?

La Vache Qui Rit (known to you as The Laughing Cow) was born in 1921. It was both the first spreadable cheese and the first brand name cheese in France! The perfectly portioned wedges we all love were created in 1924 and remain a global favorite today.

The deliciously rich and creamy Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spreads from The Laughing Cow® were released in March 2012. We’re excited to announce that we will be sampling NEW Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread Chive & Onion 1/3 less fat, which just launched this year.

2. What products does The Laughing Cow specialize in?

Individually wrapped and portion-controlled, The Laughing Cow® Cheese Wedges, Mini Babybel® Cheeses and Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread are the most popular brands owned by Bel Brands USA Inc.

3. What sets The Laughing Cow apart from your competitors?

Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread from The Laughing Cow® makes it easy to start your day off right. Masterfully churned for a delectable creaminess in each perfectly portioned wedge, Smooth Sensations Cream Cheese Spread is 45 calories per wedge and one-third less fat than regular cream cheese, and will add the perfect pick-me-up for your whole grain toast, bagels and fruit.

4. We are SO excited to have The Laughing Cow at Blend Retreat. How will you be involved this year?

We are so excited to be at Blend Retreat! This year we will be co-sponsoring breakfast on Saturday and will be serving The Laughing Cow® Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread. It’s the perfect addition to your breakfast routine. With five scrumptious varieties at one-third less fat than regular cream cheese, mornings with Smooth Sensations are definitely brighter!

Additionally, if you tweet a picture of your breakfast at Blend Retreat with Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread @TheLaughingCow with #AMjoy and #Blend2013 – you will be entered to win all five one-third less fat varieties!

5. We are excited to try your products at the retreat! But maybe we don’t want to wait… so tell us, where can we find your products for purchase?

Yes, please do try Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread now – that way you can decide which flavor you must have at the Blend Retreat breakfast! Most Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread flavors can we found at grocery stores nationwide. NEW Chive & Onion is currently available at Walmart with distribution building throughout 2013. If there is a flavor you are searching for, please check our product locator to find it near you: http://bit.ly/9mg81r

6. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about The Laughing Cow?

We love interacting with our friends on social media! Please visit our social media communities for tasty news and tips:

Facebook: Facebook.com/LaughingCowFanPage

Twitter: @TheLaughingCow

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/TheLaughingCow

GIVEAWAY TIME!

The Laughing Cow wants to spread the love and give away a package of their Smooth Sensations™ Cream Cheese Spread (all flavors!) to two lucky winners!

To Enter:

Comment below and tell us your favorite TLC product. (Go here for a full list.)

Bonus Entry:

Follow @TheLaughingCow on Twitter and then tweet the following:

@blendretreat is giving away @TheLaughingCow products today! Go here to enter: http://wp.me/p2f2qi-cM #laughingcow #giveaway

Two winners will be announced next Monday, the 6th! Best of luck and a big thank you to our sponsor, The Laughing Cow!

xoxo, Janetha, Katie, and Lindsay