Photo A Day: Week 8

Well January and February have flown by! I can't believe we're already to the last week of the month. Insanity! And I'm afraid it's only going to get worse as I will now be working outside the home again.

Here's some pictures you may or may not have seen throughout the week!

I only have a video from the 16th and can't get it to upload :p

my first ever Larabar

spaghetti squash - yum!

acorn squash - this may be my new favorite dish...was soooo good!

braised short ribs - not my fave, but still good

heading off for some "me" time & enjoying not seeing snow!!

Jordy got this foot spa from Eric's mamaw's house...she sure enjoyed it

Workin' it Out

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their link up - This Week in Workouts!



This past weeked marked my last official "I have all day to fit in a workout" lifestyle. I know it will be challenging to figure out work, workouts, training sessions and everything else, but prepared for it! Let the fun begin. ha

Sunday, Feb. 16 - rest day
Monday, Feb. 17 - 3 miles Leslie Sansone power walk (YouTube)
Tuesday, Feb. 18 - 45 minutes Zumba (YouTube)
Wednesday, Feb. 19 - 2 miles Leslie Sansone Slim Walk (it's a 4 mile boosted power walk - YouTube)
Thursday, Feb. 20 - 3 miles Leslie Sansone power walk (YouTube)
Friday, Feb. 21 - 1 mile walk outside
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 4 miles Leslie Sansone Slim Walk (YouTube)

Sadly, I had to skip my session with Abby this week. She is one of the coaches for a local high school girls basketball team and due to the weather, the Sectional games got all moved around. They played Monday night (during our normal session)...and won! This weekend they play their Regional game and with the other stuff we both had planned, just couldn't make it work. Hopefully I will be able to see her next week, but have to change my scheduled day/time due to the new job end time and her group fitness class time.

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

J'Adore Vox Box Review

I am excited to say that I got another VoxBox to review on Saturday. And this one was a winner!!

My family will be enjoying the Hershey Kisses (I'm currently completing a Paleo challenge), especially since they are milk chocolate. ;)

On Saturday night, I tried the Botanics Ionic Clay Mask...it was great! I love a good face mask. I have used mostly Mary Kay brand over the years and this one worked the same. I do caution that you be careful on the first squeeze! The runny liquid came gushing out...all over my hand and the bathroom sink. Be sure to shake it up a little for a better consistency. I lost track of time and it was about 15 minutes before I got my mask washed off, but it came off very easily. I really dislike having to scrub my face raw to get the mask washed off, so this was a nice surprise.

On Monday morning, I gave the FrizzEase Flat Iron Spray a go...and it was another winner! I have used some other sprays throughout the years (salon brands), but when my last bottle ran out, I never replaced it. Mostly because the cost seemed so outrageous, especially to someone without a job. I did this quickly as I was called in for a last minute job interview, so I spritzed it in my towel dried damp hair - blowdried it - ran the flat iron through my hair. It was wonderful! Maybe even better than the ones I've used in the past. I already have it on my shopping list for this week to stock up with a bigger bottle! I will need it since I landed the job from yesterday's interview! Yay! The other nice part is that it is a 3 day spray - now let me say...I am not a 3 day hair girl. I can't even go 1 day without washing my hair. I will say this, my hair today is as straight and smooth as it was yesterday. It is currently pulled up in a ponytail (just finished my workout for the day). So if you are one of those lucky girls who can go days without washing your hair...this spray would be great for you!

The other items have yet to be tried - mainly because I've never worn false lashes before, but I do look forward to trying the ones in this box. I will probably attempt them for a special night out with the hubs. The other item in the box was tea...and I am NOT a tea drinker. My husband plans to give these a shot (and so will our oldest daughter, most likely, as she likes tea as well).

All in all this was a great box...way to go Influenster!

Photo A Day: Week 7

Another week in pictures!

a new dusting of snow to start the day!

waiting outside to start my training session

the girls - always alert to hearing us at the doors

Toby getting a hair cut by his buddy (he only sits still for Eric)

Sadie & Lucky enjoying the sun...and apparently using the snow as a pillow

my Valentine's scavenger hunt ended with finding out I get more personal training sessions!

more snow...UGH!!!!!!

Sweatin' it Out

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their link up - This Week in Workouts!



A month of workouts complete...now if only the winter weather would fly by as quickly! ha I am going to try to start amping up my workouts a little bit. I know Abby is going to be giving me at "at home workout" to continue doing after my next session, so I hope to start doing that plus everything else I've been doing. We shall see! ;)

Sunday, Feb. 9 - rest day
Monday, Feb. 10 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Tuesday, Feb. 11 - walked 3 miles with Leslie Sansone power walk (YouTube)
Wednesday, Feb. 12 - completed 3 rounds of Fitness Blender low impact cardio (YouTube)
Thursday, Feb. 13 - completed kettlebell workout
Friday, Feb. 14 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics
Saturday, Feb. 15 - walked 1 mile with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics AND completed 20 minute low impact tabata workout (YouTube)

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Although I doubt my lil sis (aka - my only sibling) will read this, I know she sometimes peruses the blog world...so today I shout it from the rooftops...

HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY JENNA!

Learning More Each Week

I've accomplished 3 weeks of personal training sessions. I learn something new each week...about myself, about my body, about food and about recovery time. 

After getting warmed up with some laps around the gym and doing a few sets of exercises, Abby asks me..."did your shoulders hurt last week?" And without even thinking, I said...Nope! (uh oh) Abby says, "wrong answer." hahaha Trust me, we made up for it this week! ;)

I am learning these amazing lessons. I did planks. PLANKS. And lots of 'em. Just when I thought I couldn't do anymore, Abby has me add movements to the planks. Holy smokes, friends! And ya know what? It was easier at the end than in the beginning. Mind blown.

We talk about nutrition. I know this is my weak link right now, despite all the work I have done to make better choices. My grocery list has changed a lot in the past 3 weeks and is still changing. Abby is thinking about taking a group of us who attend her classes/personal training sessions to Jungle Jim's or Trader Joe's and really get serious about organic/natural choices in clean eating plans. Yay! I sooooo wanna do that. I have been researching clean eating plans. I so admire all of you who are able to do this and have husbands/kids who go along with it or else you really don't mind cooking 2 meals a night. Me? Half the things I suggest...my husband looks at me like I'm crazy and the girls are the pickiest eaters possibly ever...and I am so not up for cooking 2 meals every night. So there are some things to figure out with that, but I WILL do it. 

I cannot stress how awesome it is to go in and push through a workout...and you are unbelievably happy to get a high five from your trainer for doing a good job! Yep, it's the little things.

I see changes happening for so many of my amazing blogger buddies...God is at work and it's pretty cool. I do believe that 2014 is a year of change and growth! Cheers to all of you working on changing ANY aspect of your life...those of us doing it too know it's not easy.

Photo A Day: Week 6

Another wintry week has come and gone...when will this winter end!?!?! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

Okay, now that it's out of my system. ha Our week was slightly different than usual thanks to the weather. Tuesday night we picked the girls up from school for our night with them and then Mother Nature struck again! The snow started around 4:30pm and due to all the ice we ended up getting, the girls spent the night with us since they didn't have school the next day. ;) Oh to be a kid again and have the love for snow days! ha

cutting out hearts for my Valentine's garland

yummy baked peanut butter oatmeal squares for breakfast

the dreadful weather - my car at 5:30pm and again at 10:30pm (mostly ice is what you see)

attempted the 30 Day Shred dvd (1st time since my leg incident) - definitely had to wear my ankle brace as it's been taking abuse with all the workouts

freshly manicured nails straight from the salon

watched the Olympics open ceremony

got the new Spring/Summer catalogs while at our spring education event

A Week of Workouts

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their link up - This Week in Workouts!



I am proud to say that I have completed 3 weeks of workouts! Booyah! ha It feels so good to accomplish that. I'm not saying it's my first time being dedicated like this, but something about this round does feel very different.

Sunday, Feb. 2 - completed Slim in 6 Start it Up dvd workout
Monday, Feb. 3 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Tuesday, Feb. 4 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics dvd
Wednesday, Feb. 5 - completed Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred - Level 1 workout
Thursday, Feb. 6 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics dvd
Friday, Feb. 7 - walked 3 miles with Leslie Sansone power walk (watched it on YouTube via computer)
Saturday, Feb. 8 - completed 2 rounds of Fitness Blender low impact cardio workout (watched it on YouTube via computer)

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

5 On Friday

It's my first time linking up with the 5 On Friday crew! I have missed doing Mama M's 5 Question Friday, so I'll try to be consistent with this one.

[ONE]
I am loving my personal training sessions with Abby! Are they killing me? Yes. Does it feel good? Yes. Food choices haven't been perfect, but with limited grocery funds, they probably won't be for awhile. My portions are under control and the exercise helps balance everything!

[TWO]
Gold Bond. Seriously. I am still trying to resolve my arm pit rash from trying the Dove deodorant ONE time! Argh. Having sensitive skin is such a pain in the you know what! Gold Bond has been my friend the past few days. Hopefully this thing clears up soon. It's not fun.

[THREE]

Mani/pedi. Ahhhhhh. I have soooooo been missing having my bi-weekly manicure and monthly/bi-monthly pedicure sessions. My husband calls me "high maintenance" and I tell him, darn right! ha I am terrible at doing my own nails, although I have gotten slightly better over the past 8 months. I joyously received 2 gift certificates for my favorite nail salon for Christmas gifts and have been plotting when to use them. Sad, no? Since it's almost Valentine's day and I also have a Scentsy training event on Saturday, I decided to have a little me time at the salon. Saw these nails on Pinterest and couldn't resist having it done!





[FOUR]
Taxes. Yes, you heard me right. I am one of those overachieving eager-beavers that likes to get my taxes done early. I usually spend the first few days of the year getting all my papers together (it's a little more involved with a home business) and then play the waiting game all month on my W-2's and 1099's. This year we miraculously had everything together by the end of the month, so Saturday we made the trek to my tax accountant. If you're in the Louisville area, Accounting Unlimited is an amazing office! Pat and her family have been doing my taxes for about 10 years now. No one knows the law better! She has satellite offices in Greenwood, IN & Lexington, KY during tax season. She's worth the money. I normally mail mine in, but since Eric and I are filing together this year, we had an appointment (as she does with all new clients). Just remember, you get what you pay for when filing taxes!

[FIVE]
My Scentsy Family Business. February 1st marked an exciting start to the month! Scentsy & Velata are both 10% off this month! Grace Adele debuted the Spring catalog! Oh my word! Love it!! I'm thinking I am going to need a coral or teal purse!!

 

Pinterest Recipes For the Win!

In my quest to eat better, I went to Pinterest to look for some new recipes for fixing turkey and cauliflower. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! YUMMMMMM!

First up, I had purchased some organic turkey cutlets. It had been a long time since I had bought any and thought it might be nice to change it up from eating chicken all the time. My mom had cauliflower in the fridge that she hadn't used yet, so I chopped a chunk off to do something besides broccoli for my side. The girls are snowed in with us, but instead of eating their unhealthy hot dogs and ramen noodles lunch (ugh...I HATE ramen and that's not even a strong enough word for it!), I bit the bullet and made myself a healthy meal.

Here are the recipes I used:









Note, I did make a few changes...
- On the cauliflower, I pretty much followed what it called for. I used the extra virgin olive oil extremely sparingly. I also didn't do the second step of the smaller floret pieces. I just used bigger chunks. It definitely took 25 minutes to bake properly.
- On the turkey, instead of butter I used extra virgin olive oil in the pan. I didn't have any rosemary on hand (but will be getting some for future use!), so I used a Lemon Garlic rub that I had on hand from my Velata business. I didn't use any of the other ingredients either...ha I was trying to keep it a "less is more" and the flavor was phenomenal! The turkey really didn't take much EVOO to sear it. Next time I might just spray Pam in the pan instead to see how that works. Total time was probably under 5 minutes to cook.

You won't be disappointed if you test it out!

Influenster Vox Box Review

I am a bad, bad blogger.... hmph

This is actually my 3rd Vox box. I may have shared that I received the first one, but never did anything AFTER that. :p Whoops. Life gets in the way, ya know!?

Anyway...this time I got the Dove box. It is slightly disappointing that only ONE item came in the box. I'm used to getting several items in a box (even though I haven't enjoyed most of what I've gotten, but some of it has been good).

I decided to really give this item a fair try. I have SUPER sensitive skin. It's why I don't often test many new brands of makeup or bodywash or anything...when I find something that works for me (and works well) without causing an awful skin rash, I tend to stick with it. To the bitter end. I hate it, but after some of the rashes I've had, it scares you to try anything new for fear of "that one time."

Due to all the lovely products I CANNOT use, stick deodorant has been on the No Use list for many many years. Instead, I've been a faithful user of aerosol deodorants (like Degree). No rash = happy Erin. I was going to wait until after my weekly training session to try it (cause I didn't want to have sore arm pits from a rash during a grueling workout), but went ahead and tried it anyway. One use was all it took for me to decide NO. Unfortunately, I started to break out after just one use of the deodorant.

So I have switched back to my faithful aerosol deodorant. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Valentine's Day DIY

I had been thinking about how I'd love to throw up some decorations for Valentine's Day...especially after seeing this lovely lady's instagram about the cute stuff she picked up at the Target dollar bins! Since we really don't have any spare cash these days, I decided I would make some stuff on my own.

I already had some subway art to change out in the frame. (I printed some eons ago and swap them out every holiday.)

I wanted to bring a little more pink and red to our world...so enter some NO COST decorations!

I had pink and red cardstock, twine, scissors and a printer. Yay for easy crafts! I went online and found the perfect heart graphic, printed all the hearts I needed on the cardstock, cut them out with scissors, cut slits in the hearts with a knife and threaded the hearts onto a piece of twine.

It's not much, but it looks cute!

Nutrition & Exercise

Here I sit, I've just survived my second personal training session. After last week, I will admit...I was kinda dreading tonight. Why? Well probably because it took me until Friday night to be able to sleep all night without arm pain and to be able to raise my arms above my head without difficulty. Yep. It hurt so good. ;)

Saying all that makes me sound like such a weeny. I guess I am! My husband sure enjoyed some laughs this past week. However, I suited up and showed up! And once again, I loved it!

All week I stayed in contact with Abby via text. She gave great advice for getting thru the painful moments. I'm so glad I have her to help coach me along, not just when we have our 1 hour session each week. Makes ya feel like someone cares!

Tonight was a whole new set of exercises, but it was still challenging. I do feel stronger this week. My husband said I would, but I didn't believe him. *ahem* As part of my training with Abby, she is also reviewing my weekly food journal and helping me pick better foods. I realize I should know better about nutrition (especially since I have a teaching degree in Home Economics), but after being a slug for most of my 31 years AND eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted (barring my few stints with weight loss), it takes quite a bit to retrain yourself.

On a side note - I stayed the same weight as last week. I'm okay with that since this past week was my dreaded time of the month. ha We also went out to eat for Eric's birthday and cake was involved 2 different times for the aforementioned birthday. :p

2 weeks down and now focused on week 3! It's a #onedayatatime journey.

Photo A Day: Week 5

The month of January was NEVER ENDING. Seriously. The snow and cold weather has caused some major winter blues around these parts. I am soooooo over it! The kids have missed quite a bit of school. I've been hearing for many months that the Farmer's Almanac was predicting a snowy January/February and we definitely have gotten our share of it here...there are some ugly weather forecasts for this week and if it snows as much as they say (10-30") I may cry. Fo' real. :(

Here's a look back at my week in photos:

Toby LOVES sunshine...ha

I adore getting new charms for Scentsy accomplishments!

THE Hooter's wings recipe - hubby wants to try this

it must be love...I sat in the car for 2.5 hours while Eric interviewed for a job (yes, he ended up going through the interview with 3 different people...wish they'd warned us it would take that long!)

since I'm not working & we have no money, I rarely wear makeup (trying to save what I do have for in case I get a job, etc.) - it was a rare week since I wore it 2x! haven't worn any since New Year's Day

Happy Birthday Eric! made him his favorite cake - Cherry Chip with Cherry Icing (it's extremely difficult to find around here)

a warm day! It hit 61 on our drive to Louisville area & I was excited to see some of the snow melting away when we got home