Thankful Thursday, 5/23/13

Oh how I've missed my thankful Thursdays! And you lovely ladies!

Today, I am thankful for...

My darling Chewy who has slowly become my best friend...

My wonderful husband who is indeed my best friend...

Our fun Saturday boat day...

My (almost) nightly beach walls with my two best friends!

My clean eating - it's made my body very happy!

I'm thankful for this beautiful life I lead and all the wonderful people I am blessed to have in my life!!

Clean Eating

I'm on a mission! A mission to EAT CLEAN!

If you're following me on Pinterest, you can probably tell! I have a board dedicated to clean eating.

Clean eating is NOT a diet - it is a lifestyle. The focus on clean eating is to consume food that is in its most natural state as possible - avoiding processed & refined foods.

It is important to eat five to six times a day - 3 meals & 2-3 small snacks. With each meal, you should consume a lean protein, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and a complex carb. This will help to keep your body energized all day .

It is important to drink a minimum of two liters of water a day. This can get tough for some of you - so throw a lemon in there if you need an extra burst of flavor!

If you're trying to decide what is "clean" and what is not, as far as a packaged product goes...if the ingredient listed is too difficult to read, it's probably not natural.

It's okay to eat healthy fats (essential fatty acids) but saturated fats and trans fats (or food that is fried or high in sugar) are the devil.

If you think it will be difficult to eat clean, make it simple by packing a cooler full of clean food for work or when you go to a friend's bbq.
 
I'll be honest - it isn't easy - it takes work. You have to eat mindfully, not whatever food is easiest to cook up or eat. You must make a conscious effort to eat clean. I'll tell you - you won't regret it! You feel less "weighed down" and less bloated. But, having an accountability partner will also make eating clean easier. You can share recipes and tips! If you need one in your life, you can count on me! :) 

7 Minute Workout!

Gretchen Reynolds of the New York Times must be listening in on my conversations. I've decided to start spending my (mandatory unpaid) 30 minute breaks at work working out! What better way (in my book) to spend 30 minutes. I've noticed that you can truly get a good workout within 30 minutes with high interval training - you confuse your muscles!

Reynolds posted a about a 7 Minute Workout that reaches all muscle groups. (Just what I've been looking for!)

The following 12 exercises should be performed in rapid succession for 30 seconds per exercise with a 10 second rest period between. 

From the May 12 issue of The New York Times Magazine.

I'm least looking forward to the push-up/rotation exercise - push-ups in general make me want to gag.

Interval training is my favorite - it keeps you on your toes & doesn't allow a moment for you to get bored.
 

Wedding Wednesday: Photobooth FUN!

Just a sneak peak at some photobooth fun we had at my wedding...

Have You Met Chewy?!

V & I are "parents"! Ok, we are only fur parents.
Fur parents to the best pup ever - Chewy! ;)

Before we got Chewy, we were talking about getting a pup. Then we both decided that when we came across the "one" - we would know it.

And by golly...Chewy came right into our laps. We were walking in the middle of town at the Farmer's Market. As we left a coffee shop, I said "today we're getting a puppy!" Surprise, surprise - WE DID! Chewy was sitting on the lap of one of the volunteers from the rescue. I held what was then an 9 week old puppy (he just turned 5 months on April 25!) and I fell in love. The volunteer could see it and offered to not only pay for the rest of his puppy shots, for him to be neutered AND all of the toys/cage/food that was there. 

How could you say no to that amazing blessing (and to the cuteness)? 

We took him right away to get a collar :)

 

Roaming around outside, getting the lay of the land

Nothing better. <3

Can I help you?

Did I mention how smart he is?

Loving life!

Salt life pup ;)

Hair Removal By Nair: Get Smooth For Summer In Three Simple Steps

 

For us here in Florida, it’s pretty much already summer time! For those who have summer creeping up on them, that means you have extra time to make sure your legs are ready to be showing some skin – whether they be in bikinis or short shorts! If you’re like me and it is necessary to have smooth legs every day, time to take a look at what Nair has to offer! Nair offers a number of hair removal products that provide professional results at home – saving you tons of money!

Nair has a new product out called the Nair Brazilian Spa Clay Total Care Body Trio and Face Trio. These are the newest depilatories from Nair; they are joining the Brazilian Spa Clay line. This line has been inspired by the beauty secrets and expertise of Brazil. Every product is infused with mango butter and acai berry. The mango butter and acai berry moisturizes the skin and purifies the skin.

Retailing at about $13.99, the Nair Brazilian Spa Clay Total Care Face Trio is (obviously) a three step process. You start with the pre-balm. This balm coats the skin completely so you are less likely to have any irritations or redness. Right after using the pre-calm, you use the depilatory. Next you remove the depilatory complete. And apply the moisturizer. The moisturizer neutralizes the pH of the skin so your skin becomes normal.

The Body Trio system is the same price and has a similar process. To begin the process, you prepare your skin before hair removal with a pre-wipe that is full of mineral oil and chamomile. Once your skin is prepared, you apply the depilatory. The depilatory is water resistant so you can use it in your shower – just be sure the area isn’t in direct stream of water. Once all of the hair is removed, there is an aloe vera gel to use that makes for the perfect finish!

I am very satisfied with this line! It certainly beats shaving. I have pretty sensitive skin so I am always nervous to try new products – but the ingredients in Nair are so advanced that the products treat your skin very well. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a change from repetitive shaving!

 

If you want to learn more about Nair, be sure to check them out – they have a full line of summer hair removal products!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Nair. Nair sent me the products and compensation for my review. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Conscious Box Giveaway

What better way to come back to the "blog world" than with a giveaway?

I am a fairly environmentally friendly chick. I try to be at least - and I always make hubby recycle, even if he doesn't like doing it!

I am excited to announce the chance to win a Conscious Box! (Think Birchbox but with environmentally friendly products!)

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway    

March 30, 2013

I married the love of my life, my best friend, my everything!

It has been quite the experience - planning since August for this day. This day was exceptional, amazing, perfect.

There were quite a few "quirks" to say the least but when I saw my soon-to-be husband as my wonderful father was walking me down the aisle, everything else seemed to simply go away. 

I felt trapped in time - in a daze - smiling from ear to ear (ok, and crying) as our eyes met and held their gaze. I will never forget that feeling. I wish I could put it into words or at least bottle it up - it is one of the most amazing feelings I have ever felt.

Until I receive the photographs of the first day of the rest of my life, I will share with you some that friends and family took...

Me and my girls :)

 

En route to get hitched!! ;)

My dad walking me <3

Exchanging vows & rings

First kiss as Mr. & Mrs.!

Hey, guess what, we are MARRIED!

First dance <3

Thank you to all of my amazing family & friends who helped me along this wedding planning journey and who came to celebrate the best day of our lives with us. 

Love, the new MRS!!

Congratulations from Mickey & Minnie!

IT CAME!

Quick & Organic Pizza: Rustic Crust Makes Healthy Cooking Fun

Recently, I was given the opportunity to sample Rustic Crust! (Thank you, Rustic!) Rustic Crust is the country’s leader as far as all-natural ready-made pizza crust goes!

The pizza crust is made of all-natural premium ingredients without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. There are gluten-free, whole-grain pizza and organic pizza options for the crusts. (The pizza sauce is one hundred percent all natural.) Also, it only takes minutes for the pizza to be ready.

In today’s society where natural ingredients and healthy cooking are important, Rustic Crusts’ pizza crusts are two thumbs up! There are no trans fats, hydrogenated oils, GMOs, or added sugar in it. Once you bake the pizza, you can’t even tell how healthy it is! The pizza crust ingredients are so phenomenal that eating healthy has a whole new meaning to it.

 

I decided to make some healthy pizza last Sunday. I just needed some shredded mozzarella. I wanted to add some extra to it so I also had roasted vegetables to add to it. Once I baked the pizza, you could tell right away that something was different. There was an added zest to the pizza – the sauce and whole wheat crust added to the flavor. Even though you’re eating pizza, you could tell that it was healthy.

V had no idea that the pizza I made him was not only healthy made of all natural ingredients. He was gushing how wonderful it was and how he can’t wait for me to make it again! I bet you could even trick the kiddos in your house into thinking that the pizza is healthy!

I have a surprise for you – a downloadable coupon! You can download the coupon for $1 off of the Rustic Crust pizza crust of your choice! (However, you must let me know what you think of it when you try it!)

Disclosure: Rustic Crust sent me (2) pizza crusts and tomato sauce in order for me to write this honest review! All thoughts are my own.