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The Jelly Belly Factory PDF Print E-mail
Written by Melissa Tosetti   
Monday, 26 July 2010

If you find yourself on I-80 between San Francisco and Sacramento and you see a sign for the Jelly Belly Factory - stop and visit!  After years of driving past on our various adventures we finally stopped in over the weekend for the free tour.

Although there were over 100 people in line with us, we only waited 10 minutes for the tour.  The company does a wonderful job of keeping things moving.  The tour itself is 45 minutes and takes you above the factory where you watch various monitors that explain the history of the Jelly Belly company and how they make their famous candy. 

The tour ends in the candy store where you can purchase all the different flavors of beans and Jelly Belly merchandise.  They also make a wide array of chocolate candy that you can pick up to take home.  We managed to get out with spending just $9.00 on Jelly Bellys.  We dove right in when we got back to the car, but didn't even make a dent in our stash.  The nice thing about Jelly Bellys is that they are packed with flavor and a little goes a long way.  We may just be eating jelly beans all the way up to Halloween!

* If you get a chance, try the Chili Mango.  Warning, it's got a kick!

 
It's Friday Already? Must Eat Jelly Bellys! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Melissa Tosetti   
Friday, 23 July 2010

I got an email from a friend yesterday that included the line, "long days and short weeks".  That precisely describes how I feel my time is spent.  Although I typically work a 12-13 hour day, the time goes quickly and I enjoy (almost) every moment.  I can't help the feeling I always get as I drive home on Tuesday night, that the week is almost over.  It happened again this week.  Here it is, Friday afternoon and I feel like yesterday was Tuesday, not Thursday.

It really is a wonderful thing to enjoy what I do so much that the time just flies, but at the same time, I want to slow things down a bit.  Since finishing the Living the Savvy Life, I have been looking for more ways to mark and appreciate time.  I have been seeking out opportunities to shake up our day-to-day and add a little spontaneity.  I am a planner by nature, so it is a challenge, but I am determined.

Tomorrow, we are heading to Rocklin, CA for a housewarming party.  On the way, we are going to stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfax and take their 45 minute tour.  It is something Paul and I have talked about doing since way before Dante came along.  This time, instead of driving past and saying "someday", we will be stopping in and eating some jelly beans! 

I will be "eating many jelly beans" in the future and taking the time to do the things I have wanted to do and will also come up with new ideas for fun and adventure.

Happy weekend everyone!

 
So Grateful for Tamales! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Melissa Tosetti   
Wednesday, 21 July 2010

I had hoped to leave Fearless last night at 7:00 pm, but didn't get out until after 8:00 pm.  Tired and hungry, I was tempted to pick up fast food, but knew I would feel terrible after eating it.  Happily, on the drive home, I rememberd that I had a few Trader Joe's brand tamales in the freezer.  They are just 240 calories and are perfect for a late night dinner. 

I asked Dante if he would like to have one, but he asked for "floppy cheese" instead.  That's what he calls cheese that is so thinly sliced that it's floppy. 

I'm happy we resisted the urge to get fast food.  My tamale and Dante's floppy cheese were far healthier, less expensive and much tastier than fast food burgers and fries!   Ok, maybe not the fries.

 
Half Off FFIT@home for Savvy Life Readers PDF Print E-mail
Written by Melissa Tosetti   
Monday, 19 July 2010

As most of you know, in addition to publishing The Savvy Life, I moonlight at Fearless Fitness, our family business.

 
A few months after I had Dante, I started focusing on losing the last of the 40 pounds of pregnancy weight I had gained. In 2007, I teamed up with my friend Erika, who is also one of our coaches, and we created a six-week bootcamp with a mixed martial arts theme to help drum up business for Fearless, but also to help us trim down. Erika had a nagging 15 pounds that she struggled with losing, despite working out several hours a day. Although we taught serious martial arts techniques, our goal was to make the classes as fun as possible.
 
In six weeks, Erika finally lost the weight she had been struggling with and I not only lost my pregnancy weight, but I am now slimmer than I was in high school! The bootcamp was a complete success for our students and us, so we transitioned it into a regular program at Fearless called FFIT (Fearless Fitness Intensity Program). 
 
The program continues to evolve. The way we like to describe it now is that it is mixed martial arts based and influenced by yoga, Pilates and 2nd grade recess. 
 
Erika and I began encouraging our members to focus on consuming whole foods, implement portion control and eat consciously. We also meet with our students for consultations and to offer our support.
 
Erika and I continuously heard from friends and family that lived too far away from Fearless that they wish they could join. We saw the opportunity for creating an online version of FFIT and created FFIT@home (www.ffit.tv), which we launched in 2009. It has all the benefits of Fearless' FFIT program, but you can download the workouts to do at home.  Here is a link to give you a taste of what the program is all about: http://ffit.tv/videos/FFITIntro.html
 
Two weeks ago we launched a brand new 12-Week program that takes our clients by the hand and walks them down the path to a healthy lifestyle change. Here is where the savvy part comes in to play! To help celebrate the launch, we are offering the program for half off to readers of The Savvy Life. Instead of paying $49.95 per month for three months, the program is just $24.95 per month for three months. 
 
All the information about the program can be found below, including links to the FFIT@home website and how to sign up. You can also send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions.
 
 
Summer Special – ½ Off
12-Week FFIT@home program
 
$24.95 per month
Regularly $49.95 per month
 
Offer Expires July 31, 2010
Coupon Code: SummerSpecial
 
Have fun!
Change your life!
Achieve your goals!
Do it all from your home.
 
Is this the summer that you decide to get FFIT and healthy once and for all?
 
  • Do you get easily bored with gym workouts or the same video over and over?
  • Do you want a realistic eating plan that fits your lifestyle and body? 
  • Is your schedule a little bit crazy?
 
Then FFIT@home is the answer to your needs!
 
Each week during this intensive 3-month session you will receive an email that includes:
 
  • Progressive healthy habits
  • Homework to personalize the FFIT@home program just for you
  • 4 new workouts, plus one alternate workout
  • Tips, suggestions and information for creating a lifelong, healthy relationship with food
  • Weblogs from Coach Erika and Coach Melissa plus additional ways to leverage support
 
Take advantage of our summer special and enjoy all
12 weeks of the FFIT@home program for half off – just $24.95 per month.
 
What is FFIT@home?
FFIT@home is a philosophy, a program, a community and a lifestyle. It is designed for busy people who simply want to be healthier and happier. You have the right to love your food, love your exercise, and take care of your body!
 
Get a taste of the program right now by clicking here.
 
Our Philosophy
For the majority of us, focusing on just exercise or nutrition will not give us the results we desire. Tailoring your body requires a combination of Exercise, Nutrition and Support. These are the keys to success.
 
  • We believe exercise should be fun and something you look forward to.
  • We believe food is not "good' or "bad".
  • We believe in the power of support.
  • We believe that success is achievable because we have witnessed it again and again in our students.
 
Exercise
Our workouts are martial arts based and influenced by Pilates, Yoga, Bootcamp and 2nd grade recess. We implement muscle confusion: varying the exercise, timing and intensity of the workouts. Four new workouts are available each week and viewable on www.FFIT.tv for FFIT@home members.
 
Nutrition
We encourage our members to focus on consuming whole foods, implement portion control and eat consciously. This is not a diet – it's a lifestyle allowing you to indulge in your favorite treats in moderation.
 
Support
Coach Erika and Coach Melissa are there for you every step of the way. Send a note to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it any time and Coach Melissa or Coach Erika will respond within 24 hours.
 
Here is what some of our students have to say about FFIT@home:
 
Eureka! FFIT@home is exactly what I need. It's fun, it's flexible and I can feel my body changing! I can't believe what great results I've gotten with their dynamic mixture of cardio-conditioning, martial arts techniques and strength training, not to mention the hilarious commentary by the coaches throughout the workouts. I love the great support I get from my FFIT@home coaches and I really find myself looking forward to working out every day. 
 
- Laura L.
 
I am really enjoying your workouts. They are exactly what I was looking for: martial arts based, taught by women, there's no travel time. I'm not working out to some "dead" and boring DVD. I like the connection to reality, even though it's through virtual space! 
                                                           
- Christina C.
 
I've had people at work come up to me and say that I look great. I tell them I am doing the FFIT@home program and tell them to join. Now, when I see them in the hall I ask if they have joined.  They always have an excuse… just like I used to.
 
- Andy M.
 
 NOW is the moment…
 
…you have been waiting for. Everything you need to get started with FFIT@home is a click away. In this program, you will reach your goals and enjoy the journey.
 
Coupon Code: SummerSpecial
 
 
About Coaches Erika and Melissa
In 2007, Coaches Erika and Melissa teamed up in their own fight to lose weight. For Erika it was a nagging 15 pounds, and for Melissa it was the last of the 40 pounds from her pregnancy. Although they were both black belts in Kung Fu and trained rigorously, they struggled to reach their physical goals. Together, they created a 6-week "bootcamp" comprised of their favorite exercises, a sane nutrition plan and continuous support. Within that 6-week time period they reached their goals, had a blast and created the phenomenon that is FFIT! FFIT@home was created for their friends and family who lived too far away to be a part of the regular FFIT program.
 
They can honestly say that they aren't just the creators of FFIT, they are also members.
 
                     
        Coach Melissa                 Coach Erika
 
 
It was HOT! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Melissa Tosetti   
Monday, 19 July 2010

You have to admit, 106 degrees is pretty hot!  That was the high temperature in Fresno on Saturday.  I knew I was in trouble when I met my dad and step-mom Linda on Friday at Pedros in Chowchilla (great chimichangas)!  It was 7:30 pm and Dante and I just arrived from the Bay Area.  As I stepped out of the car, my breath was taken away.  It was freakin' hot!

I didn't let the weather spoil our weekend for a moment.  I enjoyed every second of visiting with my family, doing a little shopping and plenty of relaxing.  I brought my telescope with me and we spent Saturday evening hanging out on the back porch looking at the moon. 

On Sunday, after a quick stop in Chowchilla for another visit with my dad and Linda, Dante and I headed home.  We spent the rest of the hanging out with Paul and enjoying the long summer day.

 
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