Beauty Tip- Tend Skin

I am linking up with Kelly's Korner today for beauty secrets. I have a couple to share with you.

#1- I have had a long standing issue with sensitive skin! My doctor recommended TendSkin a couple of years ago for blemishes, bumps, and ingrown hair. But when I looked at the price- WOW!! $30+ for a small bottle. So I started doing some research and found a recipe for making my own TendSkin. It is super easy, makes a bunch, and I use it on blemishes and bikini area too.

Solution 1:
18 tablets uncoated aspirin, crushed
5 oz rubbing alcohol
Combine

Solution 2:
8 tablets uncoated aspirin, crushed
2.5 oz witch hazel
Combine

Combine the two solutions, the aspirin will settle a bit, so shake it before you apply.

It really does work, and it is much cheaper than the name brand. I think I paid $5total for all ingredients and bottle. Good deal!!

Side note: I found that I had to use it a couple times a day at first to get the results I needed, and it is a bit drying to the skin, so just play around with it to see what works best for you.

#2- WEN!!! I saw this on QVC and was totally sucked in! I have been trying to go with more natural products for my skin and hair. I actually stopped using shampoo and use a shampoo bar (looks just like a bar of soap). I got mine at Chagrin Valley Soaps. But it is a bit drying to my hair so I was looking for a good conditioner. I have thick, curly hair. I found WEN and ordered it. Again, it is very pricey, so I didn't know how I could afford it. Lo and behold, I was in Sally Beauty Supply one day and I found their version of it, called Hair One. This stuff is great! I also only shampoo my hair every 2-3 days and use a dry shampoo.

Also, I use MagiX from Avon as a primer and LOVE IT!! It makes my makeup stay on all day and I have oily prone skin!! It is Wonderful!!!!

What do we eat?

I am linking up with Kelly's Korner today (a first for me)!!

We have one great eater in our house, and one not so great eater. It can get to be challenging. Right now my husband and I are really trying to eat healthier too, so I guess everyone but Mackenzie is a challenge! HAHA.

WE do not drink cow's milk anymore, we probably haven't in 2 yrs I guess. We drink Almond milk, and so far we all really like it. Prefer over soy or rice milk.

Breakfast:
yogurt
fruit
oatmeal
shredded wheat cereal
waffles
pancakes with flaxseed

Lunch:
egg salad/tuna salad sandwiches
Cheetos natural puffs
pretzels
block cheese (I have stopped buying processed cheese)
salad
soup
PB or Almond Butter sandwiches
fruit and/or veggie plate
chicken nuggets (I am trying to get away from these)
Mac and Cheese (ditto above)

Dinner:
pizza ( we are going to start making our own)
spaghetti casserole (add tomatoes, flaxseed)
rice and steamed veggies
WE do alot of casseroles

Snacks:
cheese
yogurt
fruit
raisins
blueberries
raspberries
cranberries
choc covered plums and pomegranates
Cliff Bar (occasional)
cashews, almonds

Would love to hear what you feed your family!

I've been a bad blogger

Well, once again, I have been a really bad blogger. I am so guilty of reading other people's blogs regularly, but I have neglected my own. I have no good excuses. I thought I might share an update on our family.

Mackenzie is 5 1/2!! She is in Pre-k and loves it! I have watched her blossom this year. She loves her school, teacher, and her friends. She has also started Scottish Highland Dancing. She has been doing that since August. I am really proud of her. It is quite difficult to learn, but she really loves doing it. She has had two performances so far. Maggie even gets to sit in on class until she turns 4 and is able to start taking lessons. Mackenzie loves to ride her bike and dress up. She also loves to do anything crafty!

Maggie is now 3 1/2. She also goes to Mother's Day out twice a week, although she is not as enthused as Mackenzie is about going to school. She is spunky and loves her big sister.

Dewayne has been super busy working. Although it may not seem like it to him, it is a blessing to have alot of work right now. You can check out his work at Quest Systems

I am still plugging away at home. I stay busy though. I am going to try and focus more this year on Tilly Bird Designs

I am really gonna try and do better with this! :)

It's been a long time....and my workout playlist

WEll, hello there!! Yes I know it has been way too long. No good excuses, just been lazy. We had a great Thanksgiving. My dad, brother, and I ran the Boulevard Bolt on Thanksgiving morning with about 8500+ people! It was great. After not running in some time, I did not too shabby. So I am now back being motivated to get in gear. My ultimate goal will be the Counrty Music 1/2 marathon in April. So I have some work ahead of me, but I really want to do it!! I thought I might post my running/workout playlist. Any of your ideas would be appreciated- I am always looking for great music to run to!

In no particular order:
Glee:
Marry You
Forget You
Gives You Hell
Somebody to Love
Don't Go Breaking my heart
Halo/Walking on sunshine
Start ME UP/Living on a prayer
Gold Digger
Don't Stop Believing
Any Way you want it

Evacuate the Dance floor- Cascada
Bulletproof- La Roux
Rockafeller Skank- Fatboy Slim
Umbrella- Rhianna
SOS- Rhianna
Breaking Dishes- Rhianna
Let's Get it started- Black Eye Peas
I Gotta Feeling- BEP
Rock that Body- BEP
Tik Tok- Ke$ha
Blah Blah Blah- Ke$ha
Girlfriend- Avril Lavigne
Break your Heart- Taio Cruz
Nothin but a good time- POison
Bad Romance- Lady Gaga
Just Dance- Lady Gaga
Choose Life- Trainspotting Soundtrack
California Gurls- Katy Perry
Hot & Cold- Katy Perry
It Takes Two- Rob Base
Tainted Love- Soft Cell
Footloose- Kenny Loggins

This week's wrap-up

Hi All!
This past week has been crazy. Nashville experienced a horrible flood, I have never seen anything like it at all. We were so lucky to have had no damage (other than a small roof leak). But so many have lost everything. Yesterday the girls and I took baskets of food and cleaning supplies, along with cases of water to random houses in our area. It was really good for the girls to get to do that. Mackenzie really understood what was happening, and she really wanted to help. She even said she would give away some of her stuffed animals to kids that lost theirs. I was so proud of her. It made for a great Mother's Day. My sweet husband spent several hours on Saturday trying to find me the Garmin Forerunner 305. But everywhere he went had sold out of it. It made me feel so good that he tried so hard to do that for me, so hopefully in a few more weeks I can get one.

Throughout the week we had beautiful weather, so every day I took the girls out in the double stroller and we went for a 4 mile walk/run. I intended it to always be a run, but pushing 60 pounds of kids then whatever the stroller weighs gets a little tiring. And my stroller is not a jogging stroller, so it doesn't handle the best. And then there are at least 2 MAJOR hills to climb, so I get pretty worn out. But all in all I did pretty good. I am hoping to get a jogging stroller soon.

I have a 5k to run on Saturday, so I am hoping to improve my time on that. I also have a goal of running 100 miles in May.

I have not been so great at my eating this week. I tend to splurge after weigh-in on Saturday. It is now Monday afternoon, and I haven't really stopped! Yikes! I have done Weight Watchers so much that I feel like I know how to cheat. I need some more strict guidelines right now. I am still going to meetings and will finish out my pre-paid sessions through June, but maybe will try calorie counting for a while. I am working out like crazy but only losing about a pound a week. I am not complaining, but I know I can do better. Any thoughts?

I'll leave you with a picture of me and the girls before one of our runs this week

Weight Loss Update.. For those of you who care!

Well, it is now my 3rd week on Weight Watchers. And I have lost 2.8 pounds! But I actually lost 2 pounds before officially starting, so my grand total is 4.8!! YEAH! So , that makes my goal somewhere between 25-30 pounds left. (I haven't decided where I want to end up). However, I was a little bummed out this week at weigh in beacuase I just maintained, so no gain or loss. But that's good, I guess. I am pretty sure I know why I didn't lose- I ate out alot!! I stayed within my points, but i really did not make the best choices for my eating. Even thoug I can eat Chicken McNuggets, I probably shouldn't have had them 3 times in the week, nor ate a pound of chips and cheese dip at the Mexican restarauant! But, lesson learned, so gonna do better this week.

I am also trying to amp up my workouts. I already have plannned 2 workouts a day- in case I miss one. I know this sounds a little crazy, but I need to do soemthing everyday. I have a treadmill that I pull out halfway between my garage and driveway and I run and the girls play. This looks a little crazy to the neigbors I am sure, but it is what works for me!! It is the best solution i have come up with to keep the girls happy and occupied but let me get in a workout. I typically strive for a 45-90 minute run on the treadmill, and I am trying out interval training now too! i also run sprints on my driveway ( I have a very Steep driveway). I am running backwards up the driveway too! HARD! I am training for a 5K, 10K, 15K, and 1/2 marathon in either September or November. So, I run outside 1-2 x wk.

In, addition I am doing some workout videos. I have come to realize that I need an intense, cardio based workout, so these have been working really well for me.

The Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred
Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones
Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown

So, for now that is my plan. I am just working each day and doing the best I can. I think that I finally have it in my head that I have to do this. I don't want to settle for being mediocre anymore. I have so much more potential than I have given myself credit for. I owe this to myself, my family, and to God because He gave me this life to live more abundantly.

Here we go again...

Well, it has taken me a while to get to this point, but here I am. I am tired of being uncomfortable. I am tired of being a little "pudgy". I am tired of looking in the mirror and hating what I see. I am tired of being consumed by negative thoughts about myself. I am tired of not feeding my body what it needs. I have been here before ( many times). I am making some changes. First of all, I re-joined Weight Watchers. I think I have done it 4 times, but the most successful being the first time 9 yrs ago. I lost close to 40 pounds then. I felt great. I worked out and ate right. But, just like alot of things, I let that go. I have tried a couple of times since then, but with little success. Mainly because I wasn't willing to work hard enough to make it stick. So, here I am again. I have about 25-30 pounds to lose. I love weight Watchers because it is normal! You can be a normal person on it, you don't have to take your own salad dressing with you when you go out to eat! It is making me focus on healthy foods, portion control. I really have to think about what I eat, am I eating this because it is fuel for my body? This is only my first week back on, but I am excited about what I can do.

I want to be an example to my kids. I want them to make the right choices and not struggle the way I have.

I am also starting to run again. I really like to run. I enjoy it. I actually like to run on the treadmill too! I ran my first 5k on Saturday, the first one in over 2 yrs. I had back surgery almost 2 yrs ago and it has taken a long time to recover. I know that when I am active I feel so much better. So in addition to running I am also starting Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I did this a few months ago, and let me tell you- it works! It is intense, but it will work you out. I also like Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds. It is super easy and very moderate as far as intensity. My plan right now is to schedule in 2 workouts a day, one am and one pm. One a light/moderate 20 minute or so and then a good 45-60 minute run. I have a treadmill, but also like to get out with the girls too.

Another thing I am trying to incorporate is more "clean living". I try to buy organic beef, chicken, and dairy. We do not drink cow's milk, we drink almond milk. I have switched all my kid's dishware to glass, stainless steel, or ceramic. I will get more in to this in a later post. I am not a total greenie, but I think there is merit to really knowing what you are eating. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my McDonald's quite a bit, you can't give up everything! Haha!!

So , here it goes, and I will keep you informed of our progress.