Everyday Choices Can Equal Extraordinary Results

Tracking Pixel

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sam’s Club.

We are 26 days into the New Year – already the gym is less crowded (which I’m sorry, I’m not going to complain about that), the meal prep is slowing, the fast food visits increasing – and many people have just completely given up on their resolutions altogether. I admit, I know it can be hard – but everyday choices,  can equal extraordinary results.

EVERYDAY CHOICES

I have not lived up to the ‘new year, new me’ 110%. With this crazy weather (66 degrees one day, and in the teens the next) I’ve had two sinus infections, and a few sick kids on top of it. I’ve sat on my rear more hours than I care to admit, and yes I completely enjoyed that large soda pop and greasy burger for lunch on a really stressful day at work.

But like I’ve mentioned before – if you fall off the wagon, you can’t just give up and not try to get on again. How will you ever make it anywhere in life doing that?! But I have realized that you can’t be perfect all of the time, even the best of us are bound to screw up once or twice. There are hundreds of decisions that we make in each day that relates to our fitness and overall health, and it’s making a good decision, and another good decision – and keep making good decisions that lead to the results that we want. Did you completely pig out last night on a late night snack filled with sugar and carbs and all the other bad stuff you promised you’d stop eating? Oh well, vow to not make that mistake today. Start not just each day with a new start, but each decision you make the same way.

essential_items_for_weight_loss_success

A few weeks ago I mentioned some essential items that I picked up at Sam’s Club and  was going to use to make sure this was the year that I was going to reach my goal weight (and stay on budget) like  – a new high tech treadmill, a fitness band, some protein drinks, vitamins and supplements. (I was able to order all these items online at Sam’s Club, which not only saved me time, but money as well).

First I will tell you  – having work out equipment at home is a necessity. You might not need a treadmill, maybe you have a row machine, or exercise bike, but honestly (especially as a Mom) you need to be able to get your work out’s in even if you can’t make it to the gym. My friend and I were religiously meeting 3x a week for work outs – well her son got injured at a football game at school, then my daughter was sick, then I had tons of work to do with the holidays – and yep, all the sudden we hadn’t worked out in weeks,which turned into months. Even doing laundry or washing dishes I could feel the loss of muscle in my back, and I knew that wasn’t something I could go through again. Having work out equipment to jump on when I have a few minutes – is life changing. I love the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill. I like that I can do a quick ‘power’ walk, I can jog, or even if I’m tired I can walk while watching T.V. at least I’m moving! Those 5 and 10 minutes that I take throughout the day, those add up and make a huge difference.

Secondly – if you don’t already have one you need to. A fitness tracker like the FitBit Charge HR will tell you more about yourself than you even know. Even if you feel like you’ve gotten in a good workout, or walked a ton today, when you check your tracker you’ll be shocked! Making sure I get a minimum of 10,000 steps a day has made a difference in my energy levels, and even how I sleep. I am such a big believer in this, that I even got my daughter’s one as well. Teaching them these good habits hopefully will keep them from experiencing any health issues in the future.

Thirdly –  making sure that you aren’t lacking any of the vitamins or nutrients that you need is essential to getting fit, losing weight and overall just staying healthy. I love the Women’s Centrum Silver vitamins, it has everything I need without worrying about taking multiple different vitamins.

These three things have kept me going, and I know they are essential to my weight loss goals. What are some things you absolutely could not live without when it comes to getting in shape??

Everyday Choices (1)

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sam’s Club.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Fitness/Health | Leave a comment

Get More Bang for Your Buck with Parent’s Choice Formula

This post sponsored by Lunchbox but all opinions are my own.

We all want the best for our babies – from day one I know all I could think about was giving my little ones the best of everything – especially when it came to formula. (Now, this isn’t going to be a debate on breastfeeding vs formula – we all make our own choices based on what we think is best for our baby, and I respect that choice for every Mom. Breastfeeding is said to be best for babies based on Pediatricians recommendations, and if that works for you and your little one, that’s great! No bashing here at all!)

Now when I first became a Mom money was always on my mind – How was I going to afford to support myself and another tiny little human, completely dependent upon me?? Two of the biggest expenses were diapers and of course, formula (you can’t really have one without the other can you?!) So I set out to do some research on the best formula – for the best price.

One thing I learned was higher price doesn’t equal higher quality – formula’s like Parent’s Choice is clinically proven to be as well tolerated as Enfamil® and Similac®, are clinically proven to support growth and development and is easily digested and well tolerated by millions of babies – at a fraction of the price of their competitors. 

parents_choice_formula

Choice products can be found exclusively at Walmart and are as nutritious and safe as national brands – and a lot more affordable. Parent’s Choice meets all infant’s formula nutritional standards and recommendations of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Value sizes of Parent’s Choice Premium Powder Instant Formula, Parent’s Choice Advantage Tub Powder Stage 2 Formula, Parent’s Choice Sensitivity Canned Powder Infant Formula and Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula each have special savings for under $20 at Walmart now!

With these value sizes, on average you could feed your baby 60 4oz bottles for under $20! Compare that to your current formula pricing, and let me know what you save!

parents_choice_formula2

Enter to win $100 Visa gift card, or samples of Parent’s Choice formula!

The Parent’s Choice Feeding Time January Sweepstakes

Posted in Parenting | Leave a comment

DIY Moisturizing Foot Cream with Essential Oils

All Natural Cracked Heel Balm

 

This all-natural heel balm works great to ease the dry cracked heels from winter.  Smooth this on your feet before bed and enjoy a deep restful sleep.  It does take a while to soak into your feet so be sure to take that into consideration so you’re not slipping.  

 

Ingredients:

Ingredients_With Bottles

 

Directions:

In a small pot, combine the shea butter and coconut oil .

In process 1 (1)

 Place on low heat. Once melted, remove from heat, cooling for a bit then stir in the essential oil.

In process 2

Store in a glass jar with a lid.  If you are in warm climate be sure to store it in a cool place so it stays solid.

 

Cracked Heel Balm Final 4

 

Posted in Beauty, Crafts/DIY, Fitness/Health | Leave a comment

Top Tips for Being Camera-Ready All the Time

There are some things you can’t control when it comes to the photographs your in (or who sees them). Your friends post a selfie where they look the best, even if you might have your eyes crossed and food stuck in your teeth; maybe your hair was blowing in the wind, or you were rolling your eyes at their constant use of their selfie stick.

Either way being prepared and knowing what to do to always have a great looking photograph will not only help you keeps your friends, but you won’t have to worry about untagging yourself in all those not-so-flattering Facebook & Instagram post. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be sharing them yourself!

Posture Makes Perfect. Your Mother didn’t tell you to sit up straight for her benefit (Ok maybe kinda) making sure you don’t slouch and you keep your shoulders back gives you a classy look – no slobs here. Be sure to longate your neck, and tilt your chin just a little bit. Make sure the camera is above you and if you are doing a body-shot be sure to turn slightly and put your weight towards your back leg.

Lighting. Do your best to not take photos in direct sunlight or a flash too close to your face. You know how they say “all things will come to light” there’s a reason for that – the bright light will show every single thing about your face – every blemish you try to hide, every wrinkle you try to conceal. Not even the best make-up artist can put enough make-up on to hide these things if you are is direct bright light. Move into a shadow, soft light is more flattering for everyone. 

Make Up in a Pinch (literally). If you didn’t have time to put on make-up, or maybe your selfie-ing it up after a 5k, pinch those cheeks and give yourself some color. The washed out look is so not in (I don’t care what the magazines tell you). If you don’t have time to throw on some lip gloss a quick lick will suffice (though I don’t recommend it often, since licking your lips on the regular can actually cause dry lips). Squint your eyes a few times to make sure they are moist, and brush your eyelashes with your fingertips (checking for any eye-funk while your at it). Though it might not be a you-tube tutorial for a 30 minute make-up session, you’ll be grateful you took time to do these few things.

Smile. This is a 2 in 1 tip. So bear with me – first off I’m not sure why so many people have a problem smiling for a photo. With my Dad being a photographer I was a pro at the smile-rest-smile-rest face. I literally was on rest face all through 1-2 and… and the smile would appear on 3. If you try and smile the entire time you’re gonna end up making some kind of god awful face, maybe even a little Elvis Presley lip curl. Practice with me rest face- rest-face and SMILE. Trust me, I’ve been doing it for years and it works.

The second part that comes along with the the big bright smile is well, making sure it’s bright. Nothing is more unflattering than a big smile of some yellow teeth. Most of you know I am super anal about making sure my teeth are bright and white all the time. Though with the holidays I might of gotten a bit lax on my teeth whitening (the cold and snow, the lack of socialization, and of course the numerous cups of coffee) made my teeth well, not quite as pearly white as before.

3d_flex_strips

 

SO I decided to get back with the program – I was getting a bit in a funk so I knew I needed to get back to my routine. Crest 3D White Supreme Flexfit Whitestrips is what I always use to make sure my smile is always the brightest and best it can be. There is something about knowing you have a mouthful of beautiful teeth that makes you want to smile even more – and people notice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients compliment me on my smile and ask me how I get my teeth so white.

BlackbirdThough it had only been a few months since I last used my whitestrips, it still made a noticeable difference to me, and those around me when I started using them again. For less than an hour a day, for two weeks you can have a whiter, brighter smile that everyone will be asking you about.

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Posted in Beauty | Leave a comment

Smart & Healthy Energy Boost

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NeuEnergy for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are like me (and many other ‘new years resolutioners’) you’ve sworn off soda pop, sugar, and promised to work out several times a week. One issue with the first two is the lack of caffeine – you are used to that extra boost, and suddenly it’s gone..along with any motivation to make it to the gym! (at least it is for me!)

neuenergy2

While looking for some alternatives to a soda or sugar lift, I was introduced to NeuEnergy. NeuEnergy is a smarter energy choice, powered by the pterostillbene found in blueberries with a combination of caffeine. This healthy energy-rising combination was clinically tested to give sustained energy boost, mental clarity and focus longer than just caffeine alone. It has half the caffeine as an energy drink, with the same results and it is faster acting and longer lasting than usual caffeine ups and downs. Not to mention it’s zero calories and zero sugar – simple, healthy energy!

neuenergy

I’m going to start taking NeuEnergy once a day for the next few weeks to see if I notice any changes in my energy level – so keep an eye out I’ll be posting about that soon. If you want to give NeuEnergy a try stop by your local Meijer (they have them stocked in the sports nutrition section at the pharmacy area) or you can order them online at Amazon.com, or GetNeuEnergy.com

While you’re at it, make sure to enter the NeuEnergy Instagram Selfie Contest!

How to Enter: Post a selfie on Instagram (like mine below) with the NeuEnergy Stick Container, mention @GetNeuEnergy and include the #GetNeuEnergy and #Contest hashtags
(winners will be voted by the public)

 

Bi-Weekly winners will have their choice between Prize Packs, which may include NeuEngery products, Bose Headphones and Fit Bits, Grand prize winners will receive a trip Disney World or Cabo San Lucas!! Contest runs from January 19 – March 16th (U.S. & Canada residents only, excluding Quebec)

contest details and rules

Visit Sponsors Site

Posted in Fitness/Health | 1 Comment