Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Monday, January 28, 2019

Baby steps to a better future

Well, I am not completely back into the swing of writing every day, but I am taking baby steps. Baby steps to a better blog is right in lines with my baby steps to a better future on the whole. This week was the first week that I didn't take meal breaks with no food. I made my lunches and then took them to work to eat while on the clock. I am absolutely in love with the blog, Cotter Crunch.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Maintaining New Year's Resolutions - Losing Weight

When I was reading other blogs and my friends' Facebook statuses, I noticed a trend on New Year's Resolutions. They seemd to all be about losing weight, saving money, getting healthier, getting a better job, and managing stress better. I know they all seem cliche, but honestly ... these are the keys to a happy and healthy life! They are also things that I am looking to achieve this year ... except for the getting a better job. I love my job ... I just have a vision for my job!

I thought I would do a short mini series to talk about how to maintain your New Year's Resolutions throughout the year. Things you can do and resources available. To start the mini series off, I'm going to talk about losing weight. Since this is something that is a real struggle for me, I would love comments on how you have lost weight in the past. Do not take this personally, but I am not looking for anything that deals with quick fixes, pills, miracle shakes, wraps, or surgery. That isn't my style and it isn't what I will be covering in my blog. I was a Beachbody Health Coach and while I LOVE their products ... I want to be clear that I do not think the shakes are a fix-it. They are also not in my budget for a large family.



Losing weight is a VERY hard task. It is something that you want immediate results and it just does not work that way. Sorry! I keep hoping that I will wake up one morning and I'm just thin. Wouldn't that be awesome? Yeah ... I have to work for it. I ate horribly for YEARS and put on the weight. I went from 180 to 267 in 13 years. It isn't just going to come off. That is the first hurdle that you must pass. Putting losing weight on your resolution list is great ... but you must realize that it will take some time.

Small Goals

The first task in achieving your New Year's Resolution of losing weight is to set small goals. These goals should be attainable! Here are my goals so you can get an idea of what you should put down for your goals.

  • Lose 2 pounds a week
  • Be going to the gym 3x a week for 30 minutes by the end of February
  • Be going to the gym 5x a week for 30 minutes by the end of March
  • Be going to the gym 5x a week for 45 minutes by the end of April
  • Get back into Water Fitness by the end of April
  • Be drinking 10 cups of water a day by the end of January
  • Be drinking 1/2 my body weight a day in water by the end of March
  • Sign up and participate in a 5K Race
  • Eat clean and/or Paleo for 80% of my diet by the end of January
Notice there are a LOT of small goals. I want something that I can hit and achieve. You NEED deadlines. If I just put "going to the gym 3x a week for 30 minutes" ... I have given myself the ability to delay it all year! I know that losing weight is diet AND exercise.

Change the Diet

You are what you eat. You cannot expect to lose weight and still eat pizza, fast food, and other junk. I have participated in one clean eating challenge already this year and am preparing for my second. Changing the diet is actually something that can be done all at once, but it is best if you do it slowly. We are first increasing our fruit & vegetable intake and decreasing our carb intake. We have cut a lot of dairy out of our diet, mainly because Turtle and I seem to have lactose intolerance issues. I now make sure that my plate is 1/2 fruits and vegetables, 1/4 protein, and then 1/4 starch. There are so many options when it comes to finding a diet for you, just adjust them to meet your needs. I don't like high protein meals because of the costs, but I don't want vegan meals either. I am not saying they are wrong ... they just aren't for our family!

Eliminate the Temptation

I have absolutely no willpower when it comes to sweets. One of the worst things for me is Pinterest. I had to completely cut out my boards that pin sweets because then I end up craving the sugar! Now when food comes up on my Pinterest feed, it is all Paleo, healthier desserts, and clean. This allows me to feel okay with pinning it and thinking about making it. I do make sweets, especially for parties, but I know how to Google.

Figure out what tempts you and get rid of it. By not having desserts made up, I am less likely to binge on them. I am not sugar free yet, and I do look forward to the day where I can be completely free of those types of desserts ... but I'm not there yet. I'm not even sure I will be there before the end of the year. You know what though, it's not on my goal list for right now, so I'm okay with that!

Schedule Workouts

My biggest hangup is working out. I have an exercise area in my basement, but I do better when I leave the house and don't have my kids bugging me non-stop. I use working out as a way to de-stress. I cannot do that with four children whining and complaining at me over everything. Therefore, I am working on getting a schedule down that works with Jeremy's schedule. One that I will make it out of the house and get some time to myself to workout.

I was very ill and so I realize that I am going to need to work up to working out again. I can't just jump into it because I did, technically, just have surgery performed on my throat. While I am feeling SO much better and want to start working out again ... it is important for me to remember that I need to let my body heal. It is the same for you. If you are going from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one, let your body build up to it. You will burn out otherwise and not be able to maintain your weightloss throughout the year.

Okay ... so, finally ... here are the apps that I am currently using to get healthy (these are all on Android but should also be available for iPhones):
I also am using Runtastic's and Zen Lab's other apps for specific toning.

How are you planning on maintaining your New Year's Resolution of losing weight? Let me know in the comments below!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Well, this illness just went for a ride

So, I decided that I PROBABLY should fill y'all in on everything going on in my crazy life. I mean, that is why my blog is called Birdcage Media. My pocket book is heaving, my throat is crying, and I am so ready for a pause button.

Last week, all of my kids ended up with mild colds. I say mild, but they had a pretty good cough that was associated with them. The colds were gone by Thursday, but their coughs are still lingering. We took Turtle to her well child check and she has been given her vaccinations and we are calling a specialist to figure out this constipation issue we have been battling for two years. It's a little crazy and we feel like we have exhausted all natural and medical routes without using the specialist.

Before her appointment, we had the older two go to their dental exam. Found out that Peanut has not done as much damage as originally thought by sucking her thumb. She will need spacers and an appliance that will prevent her from putting her thumb in her mouth. UNFORTUNATELY, she is starting to act as if that means she can try to suck her thumb until we give her the appliance. *sigh* Bullfrog will also need some spacers, but not for another year. He has been cursed with his father's small mouth.


We had a great family party on Saturday with all healthy family members. Then BOOM, out of the blue, I get a sore throat Sunday night and sometime overnight it becomes so bad I really can't eat. I wrote it off as tonsillitis because I had that before. I get a nice fever with it that lasts for about a day, sore throat (still can swallow and is calmed with some Ricola or Halls), and a mild ear ache. I thought nothing else of it except that I started to notice by Wednesday that I really wasn't able to drink or eat ... ANYTHING. Y'all, I was downing MAYBE 7oz of water a day ... that is a far cry from the 64-80oz that I normally consume. It was starting to wear on me. Tuesday we took Peanut into the Dr because her throat was so bad she could hardly swallow. She was diagnosed with strep. Whomp whomp whomp.  Guess what ... SHE'S allergic to penicillin. Her ONE medication cost us $40.

Wednesday, we decided to have me go in and get checked. Figured I would have to go to KU anyway since Monkey had her hearing test that day (she had failed her tests at Headstart). Well, they were booked so I ended up going to a Minute Clinic. Checked in at 10am, there was a 60-minute wait. 2 1/2 hours and $30 later, test was negative. I didn't feel good about the test at all. For me, if I don't gag, the test hasn't been administered correctly. *laugh* Either way, we rushed over to Monkey's test. She passed on the right ear for high tones but failed on the low tones. She failed completely for the left ear. We have a followup in 6 weeks and if she fails again, we will be talking tubes.

I noticed by Thursday evening my fever was starting to really take hold and I upped my Ibuprofen intake from 200mg every 6 hours to 400mg. That helped mildly. Still was not able to consume more than a cup of applesauce or one small cookie for the entire day. However, Bullfrog has his well child appointment scheduled and has a foot that's been bothering him since horsing around at church a few weeks ago. We ended up getting x-rays. It has been discovered there is no break, but it could be sprained. It's not swollen so he's just supposed to monitor it. Still ... there's another medical bill.

Friday night came and I noticed that my fever had gone up despite my fever reducer. I emailed my husband and we came to the mutual decision that the ER would be visited. We checked into Providence at 10:30pm with our oldest staying up to make sure nothing happened. We really thought I was going to have a swab done, get some meds, and go home. pffffft. That is SO not what happened. I ended up with 2 nurses bouncing back and forth working on me at Providence. Everyone was so nice. The doctor walked in, looked in my mouth, and went "ooof ...." That is NEVER EVER a good sound. Then the words abscess,  CT, drain, and transfer were all mentioned. They gave me an IV and put a steroid in it, followed with morphine. I started feeling pretty good about then. CT Scan was my first ever and that verified the abscess ... just the location of the abscess was not quite clear to the untrained eye. Unfortunately, ENT DR was at The University of KS hospital ... not Providence. We gave hubby's dad a call and got some reinforcements sent over to our house to allow Peanut some sleep. By 1:30am, hubby and I were on our way over to KU. We finally got seen around 3am. The ENT determined that the abscess is actually IN my tonsil, not outside of it. What that meant was I had a choice. I could either let them stick the big long needle down my throat to drain the abscess or I could let antibiotics have a chance on it. Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE needles? Yeah, I went the second route. They gave me another dose of morphine and some scripts for some heavy antibiotics. Hubby and I were finally sent home around 4:40am. Yup .. 6 hours and 2 hospitals later. I don't even want to think about that bill. THANKFULLY I have been able to eat EVERY meal today AND I have consumed close to 70oz of water. My throat is still sore, but not nearly as bad. My meds also were less than HALF the price of Peanut's and I had TWO scripts to fill! TOGETHER they were less than half the cost. That girl and her body's allergy to Penicillin.

So, taking note ... we still have to get Turtle into the Pediatric GI at Children's Mercy and Peanut needs $300 worth of mouth work done. Monkey is still due for another hearing test, and hopefully the fluid will dissipate on it's own, but family history suggests against it. But ... in 9 days we have been at KU MedWest 4 times, Minute Clinic once, Dentist twice and 2 ERs. I am still being closely monitored, as the ER ENT would prefer to see my throat again tonight. However, since I'm able to consume food and liquids, we are waiting until Monday to do a follow-up if necessary.

I now have so much to squeeze in so I apologize for the overflow of sponsored posts that will be coming in over the next few days. I just have been so overwhelmed, tired, and overall feeling of yucky that I have not been on my computer. Thank you for the prayers, outreach of support, and questions of concerns I have gotten via Facebook, Email, and Twitter. I greatly appreciate the love! Y'all are the best.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Let's Make the Perfect Smoothie

One of my favorite things to consume to stay healthy is to eat a smoothie once a day. I have done green smoothies and Shakeology, but there are many healthy smoothies you can make. Many people have asked me what makes the perfect smoothie. Guess what, I don't know your taste buds! SO, let's talk about the ingredients that make up a perfect smoothie, and you can select what would make YOUR perfect smoothie!
  1. Use a nut butter or yogurt to make it creamy
  2. Add chia or flax seeds for natural protein
  3. Fortify with a protein powder if you are consuming it right before or right after a workout (or using it as a meal replacement)
  4. Add a liquid component (milk, juice, coconut water, etc)
  5. Add some greens
  6. Add some fruits

A Blender

Cuisinart - PowerEdge Blender
Cuisinart - PowerEdge Blender - $199.00, See Site shipping - Available at Overstock.com
(2 reviews)

Peanut Butter

N Toys - Nuts 'N More Peanut Butter, 16 Ounce

Almond Butter Raw & Chia

Barney Butter - Barney Butter Almond Butter Raw & Chia -10 oz Jar

Chia Seeds

Puritan's Pride - Chia Seeds-16 oz Seeds
Puritan's Pride - Chia Seeds-16 oz Seeds - $16.99, Free shipping - Available at Puritans Pride
(18 reviews)

Flax Seeds

Spectrum Organics - ESEENTIALS Organic Ground Essential Flax Seed 14 OZ

Protein Powder

DESIGNER WHEY - Aria Women's Protein Vanilla-12 oz Powder
DESIGNER WHEY - Aria Women's Protein Vanilla-12 oz Powder - $10.99, Free Shipping - Available at Puritans Pride
(5 reviews)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Where I've Been ... and no I'm not back

I am battling a major infection in my throat. The jury is out whether it is viral or bacterial. In fact, that doesn't even matter to me right now. What matters is I can hardly swallow, my right tonsil is swollen, my right ear hurts, and my throat is swollen (with the right side very tender to the touch.

I have been battling this since Sunday night. I immediately wrote it off as tonsillitis since I have gotten that in the past. It actually WAS getting better. Them BOOM on Wednesday, my fever came back and so did the pain. I have barely been able to eat and drink. Last night I decided to up my Ibuprofen to 400mg every 6 hours. This has at least allowed me a little more sleep, a little more food, and a lot more water.

I know y'all are missing my posts and I have a LOT to catch up on, but I really am spending most of my time laying down. I did get a strep test run at the Minute Clinic at CVS on Wednesday, but that came back as negative. However, most strep tests make me gag and this one didn't, so I'm not sure if she even administered the test accurately.

My children are being such helpers and my husband is really picking up the slack. I feel very blessed right now!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

How can something so small do so much damage?

When it comes to eating healthy, it is fairly easy. Honestly, it is. What happens is you eliminate the temptations from your house. Not having access to a vehicle helps keep me on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, I then I have a vehicle on the weekends. I derail EVERY weekend! A little white granule is so addictive and so tasty, I just can't seem to kick it. What is this small white granule?

You guessed it ... sugar


This is why most people gain weight over the holidays. You first have Halloween where you are doused with candy and other sweets. Then you have Thanksgiving and Christmas where people eat way too much. New Year's Eve brings in alcohol. January isn't innocent ... it's Girl Scout Cookie month. By now, you have this desire to lose weight but you just feel overwhelmed.


How is it that something so small can cause so much damage? That is what I am on the path to find out right now. How do I get over the addiction sugar has on me.  Is it possible for me to eradicate sugar from our diet? I see people doing the Whole 30 but I am just so scared that I won't be able to do something that extreme.


Instead, I am working on doing a 100 Days of Real Food Challenge and a Juice Cleanse. The thought of saying goodbye to things like Girl Scout cookies and soda make me sad. I know that regardless of what I do, the weight will come back if I don't say goodbye to these things ... but it just seems so hard.

Leave me a comment below to give me your advice or words of encouragement. Is being scared about kicking sugar to the curb normal? How hard is it really? How expensive is it? These are all things that float through my mind!

*A side note - did you see that there are gluten-free cookies this year for Girl Scouts?! YIKES!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Moving towards a goal (in pictures)

I know that many of you know one of my biggest goals this year is to lose weight and become healthy. I had been working on it throughout 2014 but I never got fully serious. This year is different. I haven't been on my blog much this week because I have been resetting my life. Being healthy is much more than just working out. You have to eat right, sleep right, drink water, and exercise. Your body is complex.

Many people believe that if they burn as many calories as they take in, they will maintain weight. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. I have stopped calorie counting because I found that if I eat properly, I have no problems keeping on speaking terms with my scale.

So, this past week I have changed my diet (started going towards Clean Eating and Paleo - but still have carbs in a few meals when I will be doing a heavy workout) and set up an area to work out. I know that with four children and one vehicle, the odds of me getting to the gym as often as I would like isn't likely. I don't want that to be an excuse ... Here's my week:


Homemade fish sticks, homemade slaw, sauteed zucchini

workout area before treadmill, pilates, stepper, pullup bar, step aerobics step, yoga mat, and bosu ball were added

organized my laundry area and food pantry so I know exactly what I have

Chicken & Couscous Salad with sauteed zucchini

Shrimp Penne with steamed asparagus
How are you moving towards your goals? Let me know in the comments below!

Friday, December 19, 2014

Reclaiming my diet ... before the holidays

So, I did a 3-Day Refresh TYPE cleanse. I did not have the money to purchase the 3-Day Refresh from Beachbody and then all of the food on top of it. I have Shakeology in the house and I know recipes for a cleanse. Unfortunately ... and I am sure this is what many people do ... the day I went off my cleanse, I immediately went back to my regular diet.

You know what happens when you do that? EVERYTHING comes back! The things that have changed is I realize that I just cannot do dairy without my IBS flaring like no one's business. Except yogurt ... yogurt doesn't bother me. Anyone else have IBS that have noticed this? Let me know in the comments below.

Anyway, I digress ... I put all the bloat back on. I am not as tired though since getting rid of much of the crap in my system. We are now expanding our diets by shopping for healthier food options. We are leaving the "broke food" budget and looking at $100/wk for our family of 6. I am fully aware that the budget will have to increase after school is out, but for now ... it works.

While my kids will eat boxed cereal, mac & cheese, cottage cheese, and so forth ... my diet will look like:
B - Mean Green Smoothie
S - Tea (Green or Rooibos)
L - Shakeology w/Coconut milk, fruit, and healthy fat
S - Veggie
D - Healthy dinner
Bed - Tea

For example ....

Today, I made my Mean Green Smoothies for the week. I used my sister's technique because it works well for me. Then, I made myself a cup of green tea that I got in my #FrostyVoxBox from Influenster. It was SO good. I HIGHLY recommend the Candy Cane Lane Green Tea by Celestial Seasonings. I have to go get more because I was given 2 bags. Blarg.


My lunch was 30g of Pistachios, 1/2 a Braeburn apple (Turtle stole my other half), and then Chocolate Vegan Shakeology. YES, this fills me up! I will be having steamed carrots for snack. Dinner is Spaghetti, applesauce, and steamed broccoli. I will have another cup of tea before bed.

One other thing that I did to resist temptations was change my Pinterest boards. I have gotten rid of the cakes, desserts, cookies, candy, etc boards because they make me want to make food that is so bad for me. I have also decided to unfollow boards that I don't want to pin from. It helps me make that one step getting healthier. I still pin things for parties (appetizers), but everything else, I am sure I can search for recipes when I need something specific.

What are steps you take to get healthy? How do you eliminate temptations? Let me know in the comments below!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

It's almost time for those crazy resolutions

So, the end of the year is one of the hardest and rushed times for us. I am sure it is for everyone. However, once October 23rd hits, we are going strong with holidays and birthdays until the middle of April (course taxes are then due at the end of April and our anniversary is at the end of May, so ... I digress). If you don't believe me, let me walk you through this:
  • October 23 - my birthday
  • October 31 - Halloween
  • November 24 - Bullfrog's birthday
  • 4th Thursday - Thanksgiving
  • December 5 - Turtle's birthday
  • December 6 - St. Nicholaus Day
  • December 24 - Christmas Eve (celebration with Birdwell clan)
  • December 25 - Christmas
  • December 31 - New Year's Eve
  • February 14 - Valentine's Day
  • February 28 - Peanut's birthday
  • March 6 - Jeremy's birthday
  • March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
  • April 7 - Monkey's birthday
  • April 18 - Oldest son's birthday
Did I forget any holiday that is actually celebrated with things to buy or decorate? Yeah ... so, needless to say, the thought of adding one more thing onto that list just is crazy to me. I am not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions ... at all. Never really have been ... in fact, this is an echo of my post about this time last year!

I did make a list of things that I truly hoped would come true in 2014 based on my focus word for the year (which was Growth).  Unfortunately, the only thing that REALLY came through was the going to a blog conference. I was able to attend Type-A Con in Atlanta, GA and I WILL be going back in 2015. I have become healthier, but I have tweaked all my goals from last year to match my focus word for this year.


So, what does this mean to me? It means that I AM making resolutions!
*Definition* Resolution - A firm decision to do something.
 My 2015 Resolutions will involve:
  1. Continuing to grow my Mary Kay business.
  2. Publish my novel
  3. Be at or VERY close to my goal weight by the end of the year (within 10lbs)
I am not doing any more resolutions than that because at the end of this year, I see myself healthier using natural methods (diet, exercise, essential oils, etc) and being able to do things without wringing my hands on how it will be accomplished. This is my vision for the next year. I have a vision for the next 5 years and 10 years ... but you know, that is for me to know and only let you guys in on as I see fit. #sorrynotsorry

What is your vision for the next 12 months? Where do you see yourself as it pertains to your health, your life, your family, your business .... Let me know in the comments below. :)

Friday, November 21, 2014

Proactive approach to the holiday bulge

How many are like me and put on between 10 to 15 pounds between November and January? This year WILL be different. I am taking a proactive approach to the holidays and I have to tell you about it. I am not going to lie, I am pretty gosh darn sore, BUT I am determined to fit into a specific Halloween costume next fall. In fact, I am so determined that I am going to purchase it in a couple months and have it stare at me ALL.YEAR.LONG. Why? Because it is NOT cheap and I don't want to feel like I wasted money.


So ... how am I preparing to get my Size 22 body into a Size 16 body in 11 months? It isn't easy. I am actually using a variety of methods.


At Home Workouts


I am using Dance Fit (Zumba) and Blogilates at home to workout. I also have PiYo, Turbo Jam, and Tai Chi videos. For me, it is vital that I find the time to sweat and since I don't like group exercise, I love YouTube and fitness DVDs to help me out. I took a LONG break and am just now getting back into everything and my body is sorely paying for it. I am sure I look like a fool, but my toddlers LOVE to do yoga and pilates with me. It is important to me to show them that I care about my body and take the time to workout ... even if that means telling them they need to give mommy about 45 minutes to herself!


Social Media


Another area that I have really started to get involved with is social media workout accountability. Fort Strong is my current obsession. They had a Strongtober and I found out about it near the end of the month. I am now doing the workout on my own ... however, I AM participating in their current Tough Turkey Challenge. Then, next month, they will be having a Chrismahanustrongzakah challenge.

YMCA


For the first time in a few years, we finally have a YMCA membership again. This is our Christmas present to our family because everyone misses the Y. We have one that is only 10 minutes from our house and the hours are perfect for Jeremy being able to go before work. I will be using the treadmill while I am there because my other goal is to be in a 5K race next year. It is also a time for Jeremy and I to spend a little time together without the kids. Willow will be in the daycare area while the other three are in school.

The Body Lab


This will be a treat to myself. I know that sounds REALLY bizarre ... but let me explain.


This place says Pilates but do NOT let that fool you. This is not your average pilates group workout location ... at all. It is like Pilates on steroids and is worse than crack. I am so freakin' addicted! I was given  the opportunity to sample a class with a few other bloggers and moms in the KC Metro. Our Body Lab opens officially December 1st. If you live in the metro, you really need to check it out. It is in Leawood right behind Trader Joe's. The only other studios are in Arizona, so we feel super blessed to be the start of the Midwest branch.

The workout is done on a machine that is similar to the Pilates Reformer ... only better. It is the Megaformer and is designed by Sebastien Lagree.


This machine helps you mix Pilates, cardio, and strength training into a low impact workout. They are 50 minutes long and The Body Lab offers both group workout, semi-private sessions, and one-on-one sessions. There are only 12 of these in the building ... 11 are used for the class (so that is the max class size) and then one is reserved for one-on-one training. EVERYONE gets 1 free class. Not even joking! The classes are available every day of the week and you can find the class schedule on their website.

My desire is to start with going once a month for a hardcore workout each month. I was feeling the burn for two days after my workout, but I had the shakes for a good 12 hours. It was INTENSE but AWESOME. I slept so great and just felt relaxed. Eventually, I would love to go 2x a month, but I need to work myself up to that.


Megaformer Evolution Promo from The Body Lab on Vimeo.

Before you freakout and think you can't do the workouts ... let me tell you that they have a non-judgemental approach to the class. They modify EVERY workout for your strength level and health needs (including recovering from an injury). You won't realize how out of shape you really are until you do this workout. There were a few workouts that I wasn't able to complete due to where I am at physically but the modifications sure burned the same muscles.


So, there's my game plan to be proactive in preventing the bulge over the holidays ... it is also my jumpstart to a healthy 2015. Feel free to purchase the programs, join me on YouTube, social media, or let's schedule a class together at the Body Lab! I have 100 pounds to lose and I want them GONE before 12/31/15!

Friday, August 8, 2014

Clean Eating Doesn't Mean Washing Your Food

Washing your food is definitely necessary, but that is not what clean eating is all about. You have probably heard so many different diets floating around the Internet. There is gluten-free, Paleo, low-carb, and so forth. Clean eating is not a diet. It is a lifestyle. I am only going to go over it briefly, and if you would like to know more and get some recipes, join my Clean Eating 101 Facebook Group!

What Is Clean Eating?

Let's start with the first part ... what IS clean eating?
Since eating cleans is a lifestyle, it is based on what you eat and what you don't eat. You want to remove ALL the processed food from your diet. You should be focusing on fresh fruits & vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy (in moderation).

Why Eat Clean?


There are three main reasons to eat clean, but they are all vital!
  • Weight Control - Clean eating is high in fiber, which keeps you feeling full and taking in fewer calories.
  • Reduce Chronic Illnesses - Clean eating reduces your fat intake, as well as sugar. You will reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
  • More Energy - A balanced diet without added sugars help you with natural energy throughout the day. You will get all your vitamins and nutrients, and are less likely to need a full multi-vitamin. Finally, you will sleep better at night.

How do You Start?

There is no right or wrong way to start eating clean. Some people (like me) find it easier to switch slowly. I do this because of finances. If I had the ability, I would do a 3-Day Refresh and then switch my diet at once. Either way, once you start switching, do NOT allow "no" foods back in your house. Sugar is EXTREMELY addictive and when you start, it will be a fast tumble back into crappy eating.

For those who want something even easier ... I use eMeals Clean Eating Menu Planner!




So, if you want even more information, feel free to join my Facebook group! I will be adding meals, recipes, and answering questions.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Love my UPS man

I am sure most people say that though, because UPS men bring packages! Well, as a blogger, health coach, and an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, FedEx and UPS come and visit me often. This week was no exception! I had placed an order with Mary Kay at the end of the month and it was SO exciting to finally have all my supplies come.



Combo/Oil TimeWise Miracle
Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
I can now clean my face twice a day and make sure it is clean and protected. I purchased the Mary Kay TimeWise Combo/Oil Skin and the Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover. I used to use the normal/dry, but apparently my skin has changed over the years.

I also purchased some items to complete my everyday look. I already had foundation, brow pencil, and mascara. I completely FORGOT the eye liner (drat), but got blush, lipstick, eye shadow, translucent powder, highlighter pen, and finishing spray. To make my life easier, I purchased the brush collection as well.
Brush Collection

I also decided to try out the new Honeydew Satin Hands set. It smells so fresh and matches my summer mood!
Honeydew Satin Hands
Finally, because I love myself AND it is a great price, I purchased the Mary Kay travel bag to keep everything organized. Honestly, it is to keep my little girls out of my makeup since they are hell bent on looking pretty too. (Today, Monkey went as far as watching YouTube videos on makeup application. Gonna have to watch that one!)
Travel Bag

If you are in Kansas City, there are some awesome events happening this month. I have them all on my site, and you can even RSVP online! If you have any questions about them, feel free to contact me. I am off to go play with my Mary Kay!


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Don'tcha Want Some Matcha


I am a mother of four, and as such, I am usually lacking in the area of mental focus and energy. This leaves me longing for a shot of caffeine, which couldn't be worse for my health. I do take multi-vitamins and drink Shakeology, but it doesn't always cut through the fog. Therefore, I am a huge fan of the antioxidants found in green tea powder. Now, the problem comes from me being Latter-Day Saint and not drinking fermented drinks! So, how do I get the benefits from all natural green tea, without the fermented process? Two words ... Matcha Powder


Matcha, pronounced MA-cha, is from Camellia sinensis and it has not been through the fermented process. When it is ground into a fine powder, it can be added to any recipe for a natural boost to the metabolism, increased focus, and fight against the aging process.



I was given a package of Organic Matcha from Kiss Me Organics and urged to try it with several recipes. This product is ONLY available on Amazon. I am putting a link up here, and then down at the bottom of my page for easier ordering!



The first thing I noticed in their shake recipes was they only use 2 tsp of Matcha. The don't have Shakeology on there, so I made my own. I used one scoop of Strawberry Shakeology (regular), 2 tsp Matcha, 1 cup milk, and 1/2 cup of ice. Put it all in the blender and mixed until smoothe. I must say, it was mighty tasty!

After that, I decided to try a few more recipes. I made the orange cocktail, butter cookies, and honey butter (extraordinary yummy) to go on some homemade biscuits!

Orange Matcha Cocktail

So, what's my verdict?

Matcha is completely worth the investment. A little goes a LONG way so make sure you don't scoop with a heavy hand. I have enjoyed the benefits that come with the green tea, without having to sacrifice my beliefs with fermented beverages. I also love that I can have the health benefits of green tea, without consuming green tea!

Note, the daily dose of Organic Matcha is 1/2 to 1 tsp a day. The powder has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or disorder. Please consult with a physician if you are taking any medication or have a health condition. While I saw results with the product, results may vary. However, it is 100% guaranteed for the first 30-days!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Shakeology Comparison

On a comment from my #GoVoxBox Review, I was asked whether I would recommend Next Step Fit N Full or Shakeology ... and why. First, I am a Beachbody consultant and a Shakeology user. I have sold the product on my husband as well. So, I am writing this post with the facts, instead of just saying "I sell Shakeology, so buy it!"


To make things even, I am going to compare Fit N Full French Vanilla with Shakeology Vanilla.

  VRS  


Let's start with the Fit N' Full

With Fit N Full, you are given a scoop in the powder, but it takes TWO scoops to create a meal. Here are the nutrition facts for Fit N Full with JUST the powder (remember we are keeping things equal)

 Look real close ... how many vitamins and nutrients are in just the powder? ZERO! This does NOT bode well for a meal replacement. It might be excellent after a workout, just like whey protein, but it is not a good meal replacement. That is ... unless you add milk, yogurt, fruits, green powders, etc. Which, takes away the pleasure of having a quick meal on the go.

Here are the ingredients for Fit N Full


There is no real help on what the ingredients are. They are things you can't pronounce and you can't visualize.

Now, let's look at Shakeology Vanilla


The vitamins and nutrients are anywhere between 10% to 100% of your daily value! There are no zeros on there at all. This is a great meal replacement. You get some of your nutrients in this meal, and you will get the rest in your other meals and snacks. Just like Fit N Full, this can be consumed with ice water if you desire. I prefer adding milk because I need the calcium.


Here are the ingredients


Now, Vanilla Shakeology is NOT vegan. But they do have vegan options.


So, if asked whether I would recommend Shakeology or Fit N Full ... I will say Shakeology, hands down. I have lost weight without feeling like I am missing a meal. There are dozens of recipes available. My husband drinks this at work so he always has a lunch. It is a great option.

Thank you very much for the comments and the questions. Please let me know if you have any others!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Are you ready to kick the junk in your trunk good-bye?

Okay ... So, I have been WAITING for Cassey Ho to announce what her July calendar will be but ya know what, I'm not waiting any longer! I am hosting a HUGE challenge in July that is guaranteed to kick-start the second half of the year. Maybe you have slacked on your resolutions, or maybe you only just made some goals. Perfect timing! So ... let's De-Junk in July!




In the month of July, I am hosting a group challenge that will be held on Facebook. You can join anytime, but the best way to earn entries is to start from the beginning! Let's first talk about what is required in the challenge.

Daily - Check-in ... this is what I will be validating the entries on! (each day you check in - you get one entry)
Month-Long - Select one of the challenge options and complete 85% or more of the challenge to get an additional 30 entries

So, that may sound REAL easy. HA! I have selected the following Challenges to choose from. With the Blogilates ... you WILL have to subscribe to her FREE newsletter so you can get the password for her FREE July calendar!

Challenge Option #1 - Jodi Higgs 30-Day Challenge


Challenge Option #2 - Blogilates with Cassey Ho
When you sign up for her newsletter (FREE), you will get an email when her July calendar is up and what the password is. You will then see a calendar that will look something like this ... only for July 2014!


Challenge Option #3 - Eat Clean
Cassey Ho has a Google Doc that she shares with recipes for eating clean. However, you can use any recipe you want ... as long as you eat clean for 85% of the month!

Challenge Option #4 - Whole 30
Participate in the Whole 30 Diet.


NOW, let's move on to the prizes. I am giving away ONE grand prize that is valued at $100. I also have a few secondary prizes (runner-up prizes). I am taking donations of prizes that are roughly $25 in value or sponsors who want to help offset my cost on the competition!

GRAND PRIZE

3-Day Refresh
Shakeology Sample Packet
Shakeology Sampler
$25 GC to Beachbody Shop
   

OTHER PRIZES
1 POP Video
$25 GC for Blogilates Shop
$25 GC for BeachBody Shop
 


Are you ready? Only two days away! Let's GO! Request HERE or click on the graphic below!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/287755711403833/