I finally received my summer 2015 FabFitFun box, and I LOVE it! In this seasons box there were great items that I am looking forward to using and wearing.
The grand total for the items in the box is listed as $275.00. Some of the items included a: Wren 14kt gold and black sapphire necklace, wireless speakers, roll on perfume, hair product, Tarte full sized lip gloss, konjac cleansing sponge, nail wraps, a jump rope, headspace gift card, and moisturizer.
This is my second FabFitFun Box and I am as equally pleased with this box as I was the Spring 2015 box. There are items in the box that I feel like I can give as gifts or keep for myself. The items are fun, and allow you to try new brands you may normally be unaware of.
Plus everyone loves getting goodies in the mail:) Look into this company and get your very own FabFitFun box soon!
I came across another interesting plus size clothing subscription recently that I wanted to try. Gwynnie Bee is a clothing rental subscription service that caters to women sizes 10–32. You're able to browse there abundant clothing choices on their website and create your own online closet of clothes that you would like shipped to you.
Once you receive your shipment, you are able to then wear these new clothes for as long as your like. Then when you are ready for new garments you simply ship the clothes back and continue to receive new items from your pre-selected online closet.
Some of the clothing brands available are: BB Dakota, Adrianna Papell, City Chic, Evans, FTF, IGIGI, Karen Kane, and Kyionna. There is a great deal of options in regards to colors, styles, and fabrics. I received my first box today, with a total of 3 garments. I stuck to only tops, and all three are cuter in person than I thought they would be.
What I like about this subscription box, is now I am able to keep a constant flow of new clothes in my regular wardrobe. It's exciting to try new things on for some time, without the commitment of purchasing an item forever. There are various monthly price plans you can choose from, and right now Gwynnie Bee is offering a free 30 day trial which is what I am doing.
If you are bored with your current clothing options and looking to spice things up a bit, give this company a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Tags: Fashion
I love starting the day off with a smoothie. There are so many different variations of smoothies you can make and I really love to experiment. I recently had bought a few too many avocados so I decided to see what I could create with them.
Coconut milk is a staple in my home. I typically look for organic coconut milk stored in BPA free cans. Natural Directions is a brand I have been using for some time. There coconut milk is organic, kosher, unsweetened, and packed in a can with BPA free lining.
In every smoothie I make I find ways I can incorporate kale. Kale has so many nutritional benefits that wherever you can add it into your diet, so so!
For this smoothie I used the following ingredients:
1/3 Cup Coconut Milk (4 weight watcher points)
1/2 Avocado (4 weight watcher points)
1 Frozen Banana
2 handfuls Kale
1 Cup of Ice
1 Cup of water or Almond Milk up to you
Stevia (optional)
I throw all of this into my Vitamix and blend away. The end result, a creamy delicious light green cup of nutrition!
If you are following the Weight Watcher program this is an 8 point smoothie. I know that seems like alot, but these are all good fats and honestly this smoothie will keep you feeling surprisingly full for several hours.
Give this smoothie a try. You will find yourself in love with the taste of this healthy, sweet smoothie.
Tags: Recipes
I think one of the biggest mistakes I have made when trying to lose weight is not having healthy options to grab and go. Working long hours and then coming home to a kitchen filled with options but no real meal often deviates me from my weight loss plan.
I have only been on the Weight Watchers plan now for 3 weeks. In that time I have implemented some things that I think are really helping me stay on track with my food choices.
I love having food that I can grab out of the fridge in order to prepare quick and healthy meals. Meal preparation has really allowed me to stay the course. What I did today is just grill up a large amount of veggies for the next few days.
Grilled veggies are a fantastic way to get your daily allowance of vegetables all the while following a balanced diet. I simply lightly coat my vegetables in olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an added depth of flavor. I use these grilled veggies for my organic veggie bowls, salads, and as a side dish for meals.
Morning time is pretty chaotic for me. I hit the gym first thing in the morning so once I get home I have a limited time to get dressed and out the door. I love making fruit parfaits for breakfast (see my fruit parfait blog for my recipe) and this is something I make in bulk. I can make three of these for the week and they still taste incredibly fresh and keep very well in the fridge. This fruit parfait with a delicious cup of coffee first thing in the morning definitely gets my day off right. If you are following the weight watchers plan this serving is only 5 points total.
Fruit infused water has been a godsend for me. I love adding granny smith apples and a cinnamon stick to my water bottle. Drinking fruit infused water has allowed me to quit my diet soda addiction. This is an incredibly refreshing way to hydrate through the hot summer days.
There are ways to stay healthy, and believe it time management and preparation play a huge key in success. Plan your meal ahead of time, and you also might begin to notice the healthy changes you start to make.
Tags: Wellness
As the weather heats up I already know I will have a day or two where water retention is an issue for me. I hate the feeling that comes with water retention, so I began to implement natural remedies which work for me to alleviate some of the swelling I experience.
Cranberry juice is usually my go to drink for the summer time. I buy a 100% organic cranberry juice which means there is no sugar, and this drink is incredibly tart. I usually mix the cranberry juice with some water, add a ton of ice and drink this off and on throughout the day. This drink is a natural diuretic which will promote a lot of trips to the restroom.
Another favorite of mine is Dandelion Root tea. Though this tea definitely takes some time to get used to the taste I find this to be the most effective drink when trying to minimize and eliminate water retention. Dandelion root is loaded with potassium and this helps reduce sodium levels within the body. I like to drink up to three cups of this tea a day when experiencing water retention.
Fresh lemon juice is another fantastic option. I mix lemons with my water daily. Lemon water is a great way for your body to alkaline.
Epsom baths are another way to help reduce water retention. Normally I add 2 cups of epsom salts to my bath and soak for about 20 minutes. A few drops of essential oils adds an aromatherapy element to the bath which is very relaxing.
Though water retention is often an uncomfortable thing to deal with it is good to know that there are many natural remedies to help. I also have cut back on my sodium intake, and eat barely any processed foods. This in itself has helped tremendously. Also, keeping active helps eliminate water retention. When I sit for long periods of time I generally have problems with water retention. Getting up and moving around is key.
Before starting any natural remedies talk to your doctor! For more information on what I do for water retention check out my YouTube Channel.
Be well!
Tags: Wellness
With the summer heat here I have decided to be in the kitchen as little as possible. Though I love cooking, I hate cooking in the heat. I wanted to create a meal today that was both nutritious, quick, and packed with flavor.
I have been eating a lot of poultry lately, and to be honest with you I am pretty over it. I wanted to switch things up so I decided to make a meal that was vegetarian all the while hearty and filling.
Veggie bowls are a summer stable for me. I first started making these years ago while in line at Chipotle waiting to by my burrito bowl. I remember going through the long line thinking, "I could just make this at home." And I did. The end result was a healthy meal which allowed me to never have to wait in those long Chipotle lines again.
For this veggie bowl I focused on the local organic produce I had. These are the following vegetables I cut up and coated lightly in olive oil and balsamic vinegar: baby peppers, egg plant, onions, yellow squash, zucchini, and Roma tomatoes. In a separate bowl I cut up some sweet potatoes and coated them in about 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil. I then placed all of these veggies on my George Foreman grill and allowed them to cook for a few minutes.
While this was cooking I mixed some cooked chopped veggies up with the Tru Roots Sprouted Rice and Quinoa blend which I purchased at Costco. For added flavor I added a bit of turmeric and curry powder to the mixture.
Once all my veggies were cooked, I measured out 1 cup of the quinoa blend and put it on half of my bowl, and then on the other side I added a handful of a organic salad blend. Next I added some of my grilled veggies, and sweet potatoes. I garnished the whole bowl with some fresh shredded carrots, green onion, and a light drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. This bowl is to die for!
The flavors are amazing, and the mix of the veggies leaves you feeling satisfied and healthy. I love packing this for both lunch and dinners. And if you are following the Weight Watchers program this whole bowl is under 8 points. Can't beat that!
For a more in depth look at how I create this meal check out my YouTube video.
Tags: Wellness, Recipes
Oh my goodness it is sooo hot! I had spent the last 7 years of my life in Hawaii where yes we dealt with some hot days, but the heat here in the Pacific Northwest has been pretty miserable lately. Today we had a 97 degree plus day with enough humidity to make everyone want to hover over an air conditioning unit.
It is hard for me to get motivated and exercise when I feel this way. But I have to. I want to stick with my weight loss goals, so that means even when it is hot and sweaty outside I have to stay committed to my fitness. Little tricks that are working for me is simply changing the time of day I work out. If I work out first thing in the morning, I am able to beat the heat and get outdoors before the sun comes pounding down on me.
Another option is to work out at the end of the day. I have found that working out later in the day can sometimes be better. The sun is setting, and normally a slight breeze starts up which is always helpful when walking in the evening. I also am able to stop and admire nature a bit more at the end of the day. The evenings have been simply breathtaking here in the PNW.
If you are able to get into a pool and swim. Do so! This way you can get fit and stay cool all at the same time. I just don't have that option, so walking has been my main form of exercise.
I keep my FitBit on, and with everyday that goes by my walks are getting longer. Because I am following the Weight Watchers plan I am able to track my activity points on my WW app and it is so exciting to see the progress I am making week to week.
Whatever you do to get active-Keep it Up! I know it is hard to get motivated and get out the door, but once you do get out there make sure to get moving, get sweaty, stay hydrated, and have fun!
Tags: Wellness
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