Remember Those Little Things

I often read articles about cleaning different items in your home and life.  It's the usual list on how to maintain the dirtiest areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and possibly the laundry room.  What about the items we use every day?  The computer keyboard, mouse, TV remotes, door knobs, handles around the house and at work, common areas?  Do we forget to clean them in our routines?  it happens to the best of us.  Don't forget about your phones and tablets either!  They are covered in bacteria, and possibly fecal matter (YEP!).  Even if you have the cleanest house, the bacteria on those surfaces can be transmitted to your body making you or loved ones sick, or sicker.  Not to mention, that acne breakout you are suffering through might actually be caused by using a dirty cell phone.  It's true.  Below is a quick guide on when and how to maintain cleaning the little things. 

Product Review: Dove "Purely Pampering" Shea Butter Body Wash

I bought this on a whim because my usual Dove product was out of stock.  I have to say it made my skin feel incredibly silly soft.  You know, "like buttah."  I have no clue if this is a seasonal item or a short term trial product, but I am glad it crossed my path.  After using it, I didn't feel the need to apply much lotion either.  I have been only using it a few days but out of 7 days, I will break up the routine with a body scrub body wash.  I wouldn't want all the shea butter to clog any pores, which does happen.  Body acne and blackheads are no joke! 

How often do you change from your usual routine?  

Which products do you like to throw in from time to time? 

Just Another Fitness Fad?

I am tired of all the gimic-y fitness things going around lately.  Currently, there seems to be a market for owning your own fitness company, selling shakes, and promoting a “clean” lifestyle.  It’s all well and good but let’s look at the reality of the fitness movement – some of these folks use crash diets or various forms of starvation to achieve such results.  Where is the emphasis on being healthy?  Why is there so much  judgement on those who don’t “look” healthy?  I think it’s disgusting and disturbing that such hate is spewed out on women and men who don’t fit into a certain ideal or size.  It’s time to take back your voice, power, and your health.  It’s time to take back your time in the sun.  I think the first step is realizing the reality of your health and fitness level.  I will break down each section to open up the dialogue on what it means to have a realistic fitness plan.

Product Review: Eucerin "Professional Repair"

I received the sample in the mail of Eucerin’s Professional Repair lotion.  It’s marked for extremely dry skin, so I used my tiny sample on my elbows and what was left on my heels.  I did not find that it lived up to its name.  My skin on both areas was not any more repaired than when I use my Target store brand lotion that is geared toward dry skin.

The Eucerin product retails around $7 in both powerhouses of Target and Walmart for 6.8 fl oz.  That is just crazy really.  It’s not gold, it’s lotion.  My 32 fl oz bottle of lotion retails around $6, and I get it from Target.   I won’t be making a switch any time soon.  I found something that works great for my winter dry skin.

What are you using that works for your skin?

Lent Your Way?

This year is really flying by!  I can’t believe we are already in March and it’s time for Lent.  I am not Catholic in any way but I have always been fascinated by how Catholics and the, “I’m only Catholic on holidays” Catholics celebrate this religious process.  The basic concept is denying yourself something for 40 days in an effort to draw you closer to God.  It’s not Biblical but it is what they believe.  I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t broken Lent within a week or actually avoided eating meat on Friday.  I wanted to take this a step further to see if people can go without something important to them for any time period all in an effort to draw themselves closer to God?  There are so many things we do on a daily basis that are such a habit that we don’t even realize we are doing them.  Humans are ritualistic and forget to function on thought sometimes because it takes too long to break cycles.

What if we challenged ourselves to spend a few days trying something else?  Doing something new or letting go of a vice that may be killing us in an effort to pull closer to God?  And for those who don’t or refuse to believe in God, doing all the same just to find some peace of mind or clarity?  I am not saying to do this for 40 days at a time but start small.  If you smoke, go a full day without cigarettes.  If you are a heavy drinker, cut back to once a week.  If you have a gym membership that you barely use, make an effort to start going once a week.  There are very big and small ways in our lives that we can make changes to find balance.  It all comes down to if we are willing or not.  I have challenged myself to get a lot of the stuff done around the house that needs it before it gets too warm outside.  I like to do yard work in late Winter/early Spring versus trying to hump around all summer in the heat.  I want to fully enjoy Summer this year.  My smaller more personal goal, not just for 40 days, is to spend more time each day with God.  I have found myself doing too much other stuff and then realized it’s just stuff.  I felt empty.

What will you be inspired to do?  Maybe it is time to let go of those old pains, get that big final cry out?  Maybe it is time to try something new – almost anything new!  Cliff diving in Mexico might not be your thing but wearing a dress for the first time in years might be your start.  Going on that first date, deciding to take things to the next level, planning to get married or working toward making your relationship or marriage stronger versus throwing in the towel, or remembering why you have always loved that person no matter what and finally making your lives become one.  It is never too late for any of this.  You are the starting point.

Whether it is for Lent, one week or one day, you should strive to cut away the old bad habits.  That is the only way new and positive habits  will enter your life and stick around.  What will you try today?

"Excuse me sir, your garbage bag is showing."

I try to hit the gym 5 times a week for at least 45 minutes.  I am determined to not only get in better shape but maintain a healthy weight and figure since I am now in my 30s.  It is no joke that everything starts to sag, slow down, and down right go soft around this age and later on.  Yesterday I was on the treadmill partially watching some crappy TV show they have one until something caught my eye.  At first I didn't think much of it because people will wear just about anything to the gym.  I have seen a woman working out in white linen pants.  No joke.  White.linen.pants.  *sigh*  Anyway.  There was a person on a bike in the row in front of me working hard until I noticed that toward the end of the work-out he was wearing a trash bag under his shirt.  I was very tempted to ask the person if they were okay because it was noticeable that their body was very overworked after 20 minutes on the bike.  This is so unhealthy and dangerous, and I hope no one else is trying this at home!
I understand that there is a current fitness obsession that a lot of people are undergoing in the US.  Look at the sudden surge of all these fitness employees who work from home selling workout DVDs, shakes, and wraps.  I see it all over facebook and beyond.  There is a healthy way to achieve weight loss and health and there are some very unhealthy ways that can do more harm than good, if not kill you.

• Clothing matters:  You do not have to own the latest and greatest fitness clothing but it has to be able to move and grove with you comfortably as you are having fun sweating it out.  Invest in good sneakers and socks.  Your feet need to be properly supported since they absorb some of the shock from all that moving and grooving.  Also, all that sweat need to be wicked away from your foot to avoid athletes foot.  Anyone can get this - from football players to grandma power walking in the park.

• Hydrate your heart out:  No matter who you are, how big or small you are, you need to stay hydrated.  Bring a water-bottle that's huge, take adequate breaks and drinks.  I don't advocate drinking any of those smoothies or whatever people do before or after a workout.  Your body is made of water, not a protein shake.  If you are into juicing, you should be juicing through your day, not around a workout.  Gatoraid is an okay substitute but only if you are doing a serious run or weight lifting session.  I'm talking those who run 2-3 miles a day or are weight training.  The rest of us just need to replenish with water and healthy foods.

• Leave the old school ways in the past:   Yes, there used to be a time where some would sit in a steam room or sauna in sweat pants, sweatshirt with a few layers underneath just to drop 10 pounds over the course of a few days.  I know of women who still do this too but with shape=wear as well as men who practice various athletics.  It's not healthy and your body does not deserve the punishment!

• Maintain Positivity:  This is the most important aspect.  Love yourself through the entire process, respect the skin you are in and that will help in reaching your desired goals.  The moment you go negative, you are headed toward a plateau that is hard to break.

Whether you are working in a group, with a buddy or going it alone, make sure you are taking the proper steps to stay safe as to not get discouraged.  Trust the process, give it time and you will see results.  Love yourself & drink up!

Is 20 Really the New 30? I Don't Think So

Every so often you hear the phrase, “30 is the new 20″ or “40 is the new 30″ and so on.  It annoys me because it is simply not true  and shows how youth obsessed we are as a culture.  This year, in December, I will be turning 30 and you know what?  I’m glad it won’t be a repeat of my early 20s.  I have grown so much as a person in the last 10 years and frankly, I don’t ever want to return there.  I had a great time over the last decade and where I am now, and am going with my life is more of an adventure to me than feeling as though I can “restart” at some point in my life.

My body has changed in all aspects.  I can see some lines being drawn on my face by time, I can feel a difference in my skin, my hair, teeth – everything and I am okay with it.  I respect the flow of life and events and have adapted to what I currently have.  Something I found that helped keep my mind level was creating smaller goals for myself and sticking to them.  Currently, I am aiming at losing another 40lbs of fat.  I started lifting weights last December and a few weeks ago started Zumba (which is amazing).  I am not doing this to fall into what is “beautiful”; I am doing it for me and my family.  I’m in this life for the long haul, God willing.  I want to make a difference in others’ lives and I want to be an example for my son to start healthy and stay healthy as an adult, in mind, body and soul.  For everyone else, whatever age you are, be that age, have fun and learn from your mistakes.  I remember the 16 year old me, the 21 year old me and now the 29 year old me and they are so different that if they were in the same room together, they wouldn’t know each other.  It’s a good thing and can only go up from here.  I’m not afraid of failure and know that around the next corner I will find my success as will you.

As I enter the next decade, I hope to make many more new friends, open my life up to numerous new and exciting opportunities and do more traveling.  For those worried or hoping to be 20-something again, find inspiration in your current 20,30,40,50+ something.  Each decade brings us closer to that true enlightenment.  Each new line, wrinkle, or gray hair is a mark that we lived our lives fully and completely.  Embrace it!

Me at 29 (currently)

Best Makeup Remover? Yes

I know I have spent many hours debating on which brand to buy, which is actually worth its price, and if it really removes all the makeup as it claims.  There are different kinds of makeup remover to use.  Some will remove all of your makeup and some specify that it is only used to remove eye makeup.  We all know that it never really removes everything and you may end up with raccoon eyes before you have to wash, and in some cases scrub the stuff off your face.  We've all been there and done it.  I have to share with you a trick I discovered recently.

I'm a Mom so baby wipes are a huge part of my life.  One night, I didn't want to use my usual makeup remover because it tends to sting my eyes.  I figured I'd use a baby wipe because it was there in the bathroom.  I have to say it wiped everything off easily and without irritating my eyes or skin.  When I say everything, I mean, foundation, eyeshadow, eye liner and some mascara.  It doesn't dry out my skin either or cause any kind of reaction.  I still had to use a much smaller amount of my makeup remover on my lashes to get the rest of the mascara when I washed my face but since using less, it helped save my skin and eyes.  It's definitely worth a shot and is cheaper than most makeup remover brands.

The baby wipe brand I buy is Target's store brand unscented wipes.  I use Avon's makeup remover.  I only buy it when they are having a sale on the product.  It's not worth the hefty price tag they put on it.  It's not too effective and gets into your eyes easily, no matter how careful you are with it.  As soon as you do remove your makeup, wash your face with a light cleanser.  I usually use baby body wash because it works very well and doesn't irritate my skin.


What is your favorite way to remove your makeup?

Sensual Summer Legs

I admire those that get their body parts waxed regularly.  It’s expensive but the results are amazing.  I usually stick to shaving.  I never had much luck with hair removal creams either.  I guess my hair is just too stubborn?  Who knows.  Either way, for those out there who shave every other day in the summer like I do, remember to use a fresh razor, shaving cream and a good moisturizer afterward to keep your legs smooth.

I have never found one razor brand better than another, plus most of them are very expensive.  I usually buy the target brand disposable kind.  They have a small blue circle indicator to let you know when it’s time to toss it and use a new one.  I also use Target’s brand shaving cream because it works just as well as the more expensive name brand stuff.  I also have sensitive skin and it does not irritate me either.

Post shave I use Johnson & Johnson’s baby oil gel.  I feel it keeps my legs smooth without feeling greasy like baby oil sometimes can.

Also, if you are applying sunscreen after the baby oil gel, I recommend using a spray versus the lotion like cream kind.  This way it won’t make a nasty combination on your legs.

Enjoy your summer, have too much fun and make a lot of memories!

Rub Sunscreen into your Soul

Wear it. 

Factor this into your daily routine, especially in the summer.  There are no two ways about this; skin cancer isn't sexy!

I don't care which brand you use, love, or hate - make sure it has a high SPF in it 35+.  I'd recommend everyone using at least 50+ if you can find it.  All skin tones and types too!  Reapply it every hour, even if it's waterproof, and try to not lay out in the sun anymore.

Summer is coming and we will all be slipping into our cute dresses, shorts and tank tops.  Now is the time to start stocking up on all your summer essentials and that includes sunscreen.  I usually keep a small bottle of it in my purse in the summer since I'm always on the go outside.  Never leave this stuff in your car or else it will create a nasty explosion due to the heat. 

Remember, it is important to get outside for fresh air and sunshine.  I'd recommend it every day.  It helps you feel better and the sun will give your skin a beautiful soft glow.  Also, make sure you are monitoring your skin for new changes or developments.  Anyone can have moles or freckles.  If you see any new moles, please contact your doctor about it.  Prevention is the best medicine!

Be you; be safe and sexy this summer!