We had the chance to sit down with KINDAHOLIC, Susie Floros, the women’s team manager at Burton Snowboards. Here’s what she had to say about how she stays KIND on and off the snow…

What is the lifestyle of a snowboarding team manager?

It involves lots of travel! This season I will be in Breckenridge, Aspen, Mammoth, Snow Basin UT, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, France and Vermont to name a few spots!

Once on the road, I get to work with amazing people at events and shoots. As a team manager for Burton, I am constantly in contact with all the team riders, product managers, marketing & PR crew. A snowboard, iphone & camera are essential tools on the job!

How do your talents and passions play into your job?

I love snowboarding, photography, writing, travel, spending time with good people, and helping others out…that about sums up my job – not a bad one to have!

Have you seen any inspiring acts of kindness in snowboarding recently? 

All the time! Snowboarders are some of the KINDEST humans I’ve ever had the chance to know. Hannah Teter gives back through charity efforts like Hannah’s Gold and Sweet Cheeks. Kelly Clark started the Kelly Clark Foundation which offers scholarships to kids with financial needs. And most recently, I got to meet and ride with Amy Purdy who is the co-founder and development director for Adaptive Action Sports. She is also double-leg amputee who rips on a snowboard! When I rode with Amy in Breck, she was teaching a crew of recently wounded Vets who were wounded in Afghanistan. Talk about KIND and inspiring!

  How did you get hooked on KIND?

I got hooked on KIND Bars when I was training for the NYC Marathon this Fall. I needed a healthy snack with protein that could help sustain energy during the longer runs and KIND filled that need.

What are your favorite flavors?

I love Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter & Strawberry is delicious too – I would choose it over a classic PB&J sandwich any day!

When do you find yourself snacking on a KIND bar the most?

At the top of the pipe or slopestyle course on a contest or practice day when I realize I haven’t had the chance to eat a proper lunch!

We have a saying “It’s usually the nuts that change the world.” Is this true in snowboarding?

This is true in all areas of life. The most interesting, forward-thinking people tend to be the ones that “the norm” would consider insane and the same goes for snowboarding.

 Any fun projects you would like to share with the KIND community?

Yes! Burton Snowboards just started a new website for women! I’m contributing to the site along with our entire women’s team, co-workers, actress Joy Bryant, DJ Jasmine Solano, Ashley Barker, Jen Sherowski, Tricia Byrnes, Anke Eberhardt, Laura Austin & other great voices in this life we call snowboarding.

http://burtongirls.com/

http://burtongirls.com/author/susie/

KIND special investigator, The Diet P.I. (Heather K. Jones), Registered Dietitian, author of Good Housekeeping Drop 5 Pounds, The Salt Solution, and What’s Your Diet Type?, is teaming up with KIND to  question KINDAHOLICS, health experts, and more in order to uncover the best ways for you to be KIND to your body, your taste buds, & the world!

www.thedietpi.com

 KIND Special Investigation: Hungry Girl

Lisa Lillien (AKA the Hungry Girl) isn’t a nutritionist. She’s just hungry! In addition to the one million fans who subscribe to her daily e-mails packed with “tips and tricks for hungry chicks,” Lisa also reaches millions more with weekly columns on WeightWatchers.com and Yahoo!, and a popular cooking show on Food Network. Lisa’s not only a New York Times bestselling author; she’s also a KINDAHOLIC! Here are some Hungry Girl clues on how to do the KIND thing for your body, your taste buds, & the world!

Q.  How does being KIND to your body help you reach everyday health goals?

A. We need to be KIND to our bodies — they’re obviously super-important to us! And we only have one body… and we want it to last for a long time, right?

Q.  What are your top tips for being KIND to your taste buds?

A. I love finding foods that taste great that won’t pack on pounds. I have a lot of cravings and so I love to eat a wide variety of things to satisfy them…  and I love to share my finds in my Hungry Girl e-newsletter (http://www.hungry-girl.com) and on my show (http://www.hungry-girl.com/show).

Q.  Do you have a favorite KIND bar?

A. Hmmmmm… I actually have many! I LOVE Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew +Antioxidants — Fruit & Nut Delight — and Almond & Apricot. I also pretty much love anything with cranberries!!!

Q.  How do you try to make the world a KINDER place?

A.  I work closely with Project Angel Food (http://www.angelfood.org/), a Los Angeles-based charity. The awesomely cool Hungry Girl van is used to deliver thousands of nutritious meals (at no cost) to seriously ill, homebound folks in the Los Angeles area. My pals at Project Angel Food have been doing amazing work since 1989. In their 18 years of service, they’ve delivered over 5 million meals!

Tyler Breuer, founding member of S.M.A.S.H. (Surf. Movies. Art. Shaping. History), surfer, Sundown Ski and Surf Shop owner, has added KINDAHOLIC to his list of many hats. We caught up with him to get his thoughts on what it means to him to be KIND (on AND off the waves) – check it out!

How did you get hooked on KIND?

• We were fortunate enough to have KIND as a sponsor for an event I had put together and I tried the Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein – it was love at first taste! I love the company’s entire philosophy – and the fact that I can read the ingredients in the bars and not have to look up what any of them are.

Any favorite flavors?

• I already gave myself away here: Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein – I’m a peanut butter junkie.

When do you find yourself snacking on a KIND bar the most?

• In the middle of winter when my shop is super busy with ski and snowboard sales, I hardly have time to eat. KIND is the perfect snack to tide me over until the end of each busy day.

We have a saying “It’s usually the nuts that change the world.” Is this true in surfing?

• Most of the revolutionary figures in surfing were nuts – everyone from Bob Simmons to Kelly Slater and Ryan Birch. They all think outside of the box and look at the world from a completely different perspective – never conforming. So, in short, yeah.

Have you seen any inspiring acts of kindness in surfing recently?

• Gosh, so many! I have to mention Dave Aabo and the WAVES for Development team. WAVES creates life-enriching experiences in coastal communities through educational programs that develop youth into healthy and empowered adults. They host Surf Voluntourism programs that engage travelers and transform their views of the world and themselves. Pretty KIND, eh?

Do you have uncontrollable love for KIND and spreading kindness? You could be a KINDAHOLIC too! Share your story at KINDAHOLICS@KINDsnacks.com.

As we come to the close of Better Breakfast Month, KIND Nutrition Correspondent, Alicia Gilmore, wants to share some insights as to just why breakfast is so important – and how to make the most of it. Let’s take a look…

We’ve all heard it before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

But why?  What’s in it for us?

Quite simply, breakfast breaks the fast.  All night, your body has been resting, repairing and using it’s stored energy for fuel.  When the sun comes up, it is ready to restock so it can get on with the day. Studies show that people who eat breakfast have better concentration, more energy, as well as lower cholesterol levels.  Children who have their breakfast perform better in the classroom, have better problem solving skills, concentration and eye-hand coordination.

Breakfast eaters are also more inclined to weigh less than those that skip the first meal of the day.  Some thoughts on this are that those that eat breakfast are more conscious about what they chose the rest of the day.  Breaking that fast can also prevent overeating at lunch and throughout the day.

So what is a good choice for this all-important meal?

A healthy breakfast should consist of a variety of foods.  Complex carbohydrates provide good fuel as well as healthy fiber and antioxidants.  Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals needed for everyday functions.  Dairy or calcium-fortified foods help support healthy bone.

So how to combine the above into a great – and easy – breakfast?  Try any of the following:

• Whole wheat English muffin with a tablespoon of peanut butter and a glass of fortified orange juice
• Low sugar, whole grain cereal like KIND Healthy Grains, with non-fat milk and topped with fresh fruit
• Hardboiled egg, a banana and a slice of whole grain toast
• A KIND bar and a glass of orange juice
• Low-fat yogurt, combined with low-fat granola and fresh fruit

Breakfast doesn’t have to be hard – it doesn’t have to be the minute you step out of bed.  Having breakfast at 10 still counts!  Take a couple minutes every day to start your day off right.

-          Alicia Gilmore, RD, KIND Nutrition Correspondent

Do you listen?  Do you take time out of your day to lend it to someone else?  Life can get so demanding that we often forget to make time for others, and we frequently become almost completely unaware of our surroundings –losing sight of the ways in which a little kindness from us could brighten the day of someone else.

Take a moment and look around today. If you see someone looking for directions, stop and assist them; If your co-worker is having a rough day, treat him or her to a cup of coffee; If you have not spoken to your mom in what seems like forever, pick up the phone.    We can make this world a little KINDER, all it takes are a few precious moments!

Despite his recent loss to Roger Federer in The French Open, tennis star Novak Djokovic has been on an incredible winning streak.  The number-two-in-the-world Serbian won 43 matches in a row, a record unheard of since John McEnroe’s glory days in 1984.

So you may wonder, what could possibly be the cause of this outstanding accomplishment?  The answer: A gluten free diet. Djokovic learned last year that he had an allergy to gluten so he tossed the pizza, bagels, and oh so tasty pasta and grabbed a KIND bar (we can only hope!) Since the switch up of his dietary regimen, he has been playing at the top of his game and recently stated, “I have lost some weight but it’s only helped me because my movement is much sharper now and I feel great physically.”

It appears that gluten allergy diagnoses have been on the rise.  Recent studies show that 1 in every 133 Americans are gluten-intolerant, where a decade ago it was only 1 in 2500 worldwide. Those who are diagnosed should continue to nourish their bodies with the appropriate nutrients, especially athletes, and it’s not exactly easy to find a tasty, gluten-free product in every aisle at the grocery store.  Before that big game, workout or competition, grab an Almond Walnut Macadamia + Protein bar, which contains 10 grams of satiating protein, heart healthy nuts and 50% DV of Vitamins A, C and E and like all of our bars, is gluten free.

Although Djokovic will not reveal all the details of his successful diet, we know his guidelines.  Whether you are allergic to gluten or not, going gluten free seems to have huge benefits.  Not only can it aid in weight loss, but it can contribute to excelling athletically as well.  Hey, as long as he does not beat Nadal, I am all for his diet!

This month, our KIND Nutrition Correspondent, Alicia Gilmore, RD, has some tips on how to be KIND to your body when exercising in the summer heat…

As the weather shapes up around summer time, we begin thinking about doing the same for our bodies. In moving a workout from the gym to the outdoors, it’s important to adjust our snacking regimen to account for higher temperatures and to keep our bodies fueled throughout exercise.

First and foremost, hydration is key – when we exercise outside, we sweat more. Fluid loss increases chances of heat injuries, so a good rule of thumb is to drink every 15 minutes during activity.

While we ramp up our workout plans with thoughts of hitting the beach in peak shape, it’s important to consume enough calories (and the right KIND of calories!) to keep up with our exercise. In all cases, protein is essential. I recommend 6-to 7 ounces of lean protein like chicken or fish – or vegetarian options like eggs, beans and nuts.  A great snack choice is KIND PLUS Almond Walnut Macadamia + Protein. With 10 grams of protein, this will keep you well fueled throughout your workout.

Consuming a carbohydrate-containing beverage 1 to 4 hours before your activity may also help bolster endurance and stamina. Be sure to follow your workout with a carb-containing snack or meal to refuel your muscles and replenish your energy stores.

Whether it’s a walk in the park or training for a big race, staying hydrated and fueled will help you stay active longer and keep you energized for whatever your summer has in store – happy snacking!

- Alicia Gilmore, MS, RD, CSO, LD

This past week, our founder and CEO, Daniel Lubetzky, was honored to have the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony of his Alma Mater, Trinity University.

Looking out amongst the audience of young eager minds about to embark on the next chapter of their lives, Daniel urged graduates to “Make the explicit point to TALK WITH YOURSELF. To ask yourself questions. TO UNDERSTAND YOURSELF.  To figure out what it is that you are most passionate about.” Daniel reminded us all that knowing what makes you happy and gives you meaning is among the most important things – and posed the question “why is it that so many go their entire lives without considering it?” Good question!

As someone who has followed his passion and founded companies like KIND that strive to change the world for the better – Daniel can attest to the truth that “once you find and do what you love, your success is guaranteed – because every day pursuing that which you care about will provide you the fulfillment.”

Please watch the video below for Daniel’s full speech and we hope you’ll be inspired to talk to yourself! You may just be the next nut out there that changes this world for the better…

Daniel Lubetzky Trinity Commencement Speech 2011

This month, Alicia is back with some good news for anyone with a sweet tooth…

Chocolate is good for you …no, really – it is!  More specifically, dark chocolate imparts a whole host of health benefits, because it contains an abundance of plant phenols – or cocoa phenols, that can help increase blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

It has also been proven to be more satisfying than its cousin (milk chocolate), which means that it keeps you fuller longer – and when consumed wisely, can even help you lose weight! It still contains calories though, so it should be added to the healthy diet within reason.  A great place to start would be with one of my favorites, KIND’s Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew + Antioxidants bar.  At only 180 calories, you get the benefit of dark chocolate, delicious cashews and cherries, all combined to provide a healthy treat, without blowing your diet!

-          KIND Nutrition Correspondent, Alicia Gilmore, MS, RD, CSO, LD