Workout Time

This week felt better for my workouts. I adjusted my lunch to a half hour at work (I've never understood hour long lunches...who needs that much time?) so that I can get home earlier in the evening. And yes, it makes a HUGE difference. I know it's only a half hour, but it seems like so much more! ha I am still fighting some sort of crud. Yesterday was awful for me which is why I took my rest day then. I feel slightly better today.

Sunday, March 2 - home strength training (workout designed by Abby)
Monday, March 3 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone Slim Walk (YouTube)
Tuesday, March 4 - home strength training (workout designed by Abby)
Wednesday, March 5 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Thursday, March 6 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone Power Walk (YouTube)
Friday, March 7 - home strength training (workout designed by Abby) + 1 mile walk outside with family + stairs every hour at work
Saturday, March 8 - rest day

5 On Friday

[ONE]
New foods. Also learning to love foods I haven't had in a long time. It's really a combo of the two. Trying many new things and eating things I used to eat all in the name of nutrition and health. Recently, greek yogurt, hummus, acorn squash and Larabars have entered my world. I have been doing a 30 day Paleo challenge. Today is the end of week 3 and it's been great! I've honestly not had too many cravings. Feels good! If you follow me on Instagram and you're tired of my paleo food posts... #sorrynotsorry


[TWO]
New makeup. My friend, Jerri Lynn, is the makeup queen. She's the one who so expertly did my makeup (and the bridesmaids' makeup) for our wedding. Being broke is no fun, but she tries all the products (Wal-Mart cheaper versions to Ulta/Sephora expensive versions) and helped me find a few new items. I am running low on most of what I have (except eye shadow) and I have very sensitive skin, but so far the new stuff seems to be doing well.

[THREE]

A job. Today marks the end of my second week at the new job and I have to say that's it is going pretty well. I share a cubicle with a girl who I surprisingly have A LOT in common with! Marie is awesome though. We make the work day fun and help each other through all the questions. It is a bit mentally taxing working in the Quality/Regulatory Affairs department, but so far so good. I feel like I've picked it up fairly quickly and haven't made too many mistakes! ha


[FOUR]
Scentsy. The new Spring/Summer catalog debuted at the beginning of the month! I have my catalogs and the new scent testers on hand...LOVE! This amazing company keeps outdoing themselves. The warmers are even more beautiful than before and the scents are so fun. When I got the new scents, I asked my family to tell me what they thought the name of the one scent was as they passed it around...Tomato Vines! haha And yes, it seriously smells like that. So if you love to garden or miss having a garden, it might be the scent for you!

[FIVE]
Ginger ale, Fisherman Friend's cough drops & generic Nasal Spray. Ugh. Being in a cube farm (yes, my work is rows and rows of cubicles on different floors) is my worst nightmare for sharing germs. Ever since my leg/blood clot issues from the past summer, I have had a horrible time getting over colds. I have had a slight cough most of the winter. Ever since my second day at work, I've been battling sickness. To make matters worse, it has gone beyond a common cold to some sort of virus that is getting passed around. Everyone in our department seems to be sharing...and I really wish they weren't all so generous with sharing!

NEW Velata - Spring/Summer 2014

Velata is probably one of the lesser known brands of Scentsy Family, but it is still very good! We enjoy this product here in our home and have learned through events where we've shared it that the raclettes are everyone in Europe. I think that it is cool!

I may have a hostess this month for Velata, but even if I don't you are always welcome to order from my website. Let me know if you'd like to host a catalog/online party! If you have questions about any of the products, please feel free to contact me!

Some of my current favorite items....

Fondue Warmers - $40

comes in classic colors to match every kitchen (or to stand out!), perfect for the chocolate & cheese fondues

Ceramic Knife Sets - $65 or $120

great addition to your knife collection - knife blocks are available as well!

Antibacterial Cutting Mat - $24

every home needs a cutting mat like this!

Raclette Tabletop Grill - $140

we love this and are hearing so many great things from around the country on those who have tried this - such a versatile piece of kitchen equipment...bring fun to your next family dinner!

Paleo Challenge

I have talked about it a little, but not a lot. My trainer, Abby, suggested I look into eating clean and while doing so I came across lots of information on Paleo. One stood out to me more than the others, so I messaged her the link and coincidentally, it was the link she was preparing to send me! ;) Abby and her sister used this blog's guide to eat clean. I have completed 2 weeks of the 30 day challenge. Not sure if I will do the whole 30 days, but I wanted to see how far I could go with it. My plan is to be able to continue clean eating 80%, but allowing myself to have a few favorites every now and again. I miss Mexican food (it's not like I ate it everyday, but I am craving it lately)!!

Eating paleo is NOT what I thought it would be. For one thing, I feel satisfied. Secondly, for the first time in forever, I am not counting calories or points. It's liberating! ha I have tagged some of my favorite recipes from the paleo blog. I have been trying all sorts of new things and for the most part have enjoyed everything.

My challenge to you is to try 1 new healthy food/meal this week! My suggestion would be acorn squash! YUMMY!!!! It's my new fave, but side note...she tells you in the comments section to use 6 oz of the leanest ground beef you can find. Just a heads up if you decide to make it. :)

Paleo Acorn Squash

Spaghetti Squash

Gluten Free/Paleo Blueberry Muffins

Tuna Patties (have also swapped out salmon - both were delish!)

NEW Scentsy - Spring/Summer 2014

I love love love the new Scentsy catalog! It's been so hard to keep everything a secret until now! haha

If you're interested - please check out my website. I have a few parties going on this month and I know my hostesses would be thrilled to have an extra order or two. ;)

Some of my new favorite items are below...

March's Warmer of the Month deal - $31.50

You get this beautiful custom warmer with the Thank You Scentsy frame PLUS a complimentary warmer that will be a surprise from Scentsy! If you want to change it up, you can order a new frame to replace the one that comes with it for only $7.00.

One of our newest Element Warmers - Zen Rock - $25

these warmers do not use light bulbs, they have a heating element under the lid

my husband is dying to get this one!

the new scents - our current faves are Aussie Plum, Atlas Cedar, Tomato Vine & Rosemary Mint

Clover the Cow buddy - $25

Clover is limited edition item with only 40,000 available! Get yours before they are gone!

Cluck the Chicken buddy - $25

Cluck is limited edition item with only 40,000 available! Get yours before they are gone!

Roosevelt the Rabbit charitable cause buddy - $30

Roosevelt is this season's charitable cause benefiting the March of Dimes campaign! $6.50 from each one sold will go to the March of Dimes. Would make a cute Easter gift too! ;)

Owlet - $35

A beautiful new premium warmer for all the owl lovers out there!

Daisy Craze - $20

My personal favorite new plug-in...trying to figure out which room I could put it in...love this shade of purple!

Shadow Collection - $45

A new collection that a shadow shade fits INSIDE a woven or frosted glass shade (your choice) to project a beautiful design...these are gorgeous!

Photo A Day: Week 9

What a week! And it's already March too. Goodness...time has been flying by lately. Without further ado, a look back at my week via pictures!

butternut squash soup - my only true dislike so far while eating paleo

my work space

my new workplace has a Starbucks in it...swanky, no?

Wednesday was a bust - I was sure I took a pic, but that's the day I felt my worst, so I guess not!

carried all my stuff to work in one of my new Scentsy bags

I have a cubicle partner (she's awesome...Thank goodness!) and she brought this in for one of our cabinets

used a Pinterest idea to take my gel polish off (it worked well)

Weekly Workouts

Longest week of my life...just possibly. I'm not lying. I started back to work on Monday and let's just say that pairing a 40 hour work week (which I haven't done in 6-9 months) with a cold (thanks to all my new co-workers) has left me exhausted. I was glad to get a session in with Abby this week, plus all the stairs at work, but I feel terrible. I hope to kick this crud soon!

Sunday, Feb. 23 - rest day
Monday, Feb. 24 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics; completed 3 sets of stairs (up/down) - 2 flights at work
Tuesday, Feb. 25 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Wednesday, Feb. 26 - home strength training (workout designed for me by Abby); completed 2 sets of stairs - 2 flights at work
Thursday, Feb. 27 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics; wall push-ups (part of my home workout from Abby); completed 3 sets of stairs - 2 flights at work
Friday, Feb. 28 - rest day; completed 3 sets of stairs - 2 flights at work
Saturday, Feb. 29 - home strength training (workout designed for me by Abby)

All I can say is that you just have to power through sometimes. It isn't easy. Trust me. This was the week from hell. Just do it and then you can be proud of yourself!