NO MORE PORES!

Overall, I am pretty happy with my face. Except for one thing.. the large pores that I have inherited from both sides of my family! I have used all kinds of strips, washes, masks, you name it to get rid of them.. and they are still here! Actually, they WERE just here and now they have gone away.

I made a fun trip to Sephora today and talked with one of their wonderful salespeople. She has me HOOKED on Dr. Brandt's Pores No More. HOLY MOLY! The pore refiner works INSTANTLY and it not only covers the skin, but it tightens it and treats it, too. There is also a vacuum cleanser, skin exfoliant, and mattifying lotion in the set that I bought. I got the whole thing for $60.00. A little expensive, but if you can only imagine all the money that I've already spent on things that don't work... THIS IS MY MIRACLE. If you have the same problem as me, it is worth a try!!

Let us eat lettuce!

I love eating things like tacos, sandwiches, sloppy joes, etc. However, these foods typically include some kind of not-so-nutritious carb. I am always looking for a way to make my meals with less empty calories, and I was inspired by a trip to our local Thai restaurant. After ordering the lettuce wraps and deciding that they were DELICIOUS, I decided to use the idea in my other recipes. The possibilities are endless -- use as bread, taco shells, wraps -- whatever you want! Lettuce is a wonderful food delivery system. You can also use any type your heart desires. Although iceberg is the least nutrient dense of all, it does have vitamins and minerals and is a more more healthy alternative to empty carbs. Here is a chart that I found on Pinterest with some useful information about popular lettuces:



On another note, I was away for the weekend. Even though I tried to stick to my plan, it was very difficult and I slipped up a bit. Here's to a fresh beginning to a new week and a healthier today than yesterday.

The results are in!

I said I would be COMPLETELY honest with my Tone It Up journey. First of all, I feel amazing! Tons of energy, my digestive system is working well, I do feel less stressed. I am going to continue doing what I've been doing. I did end up gaining a pound in the last five days, but I lost inches overall (I did gain half in one arm and another half in one calf -- seems like things are evening out?). Here are the stats:

Weight: 133.2 lbs

Measurements

Left Arm: 11 in
Right Arm: 11 in
Neck: 12 in
Chest: 34 in
Waist: 28 in
Hips: 35 in
Left Thigh: 19 in
Right Thigh: 20 in
Left Calf: 14.5 in
Right Calf: 14.5 in
Weight Gain: + 1 lb
Inches Lost: - 2 inches

I am going out of town today, but plan to continue eating well and working out on my trip. I'll be posting when I return, but my next check-in won't be until a week from this upcoming Monday. I'll keep doing these each week to help stay on track.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!! :)

Meet my new friend... KALE!

How come I have never heard about this miraculous super food before?!? There really is nothing better on Earth than this! Here are some quick facts about this leafy bunch of goodness:

One cup contains...

* 33 Calories
* 5 g Fiber
* 2 g Protein
* TONS of Vitamins A, C, & K.. All way over the daily recommended value
* Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids

And so much more!!

This wonderful food helps with your digestion, fights against cancer, and is an anti-inflammatory.

So far, I've really only eaten it in soup. Today, I am going to venture out. I am going make kale chips (second attempt, first time didn't work so well) AND a special side dish.

I wouldn't suggest trying kale for the first time in a salad as the base. It has a stronger taste when it is raw than when it is cooked. Instead, try adding it in slowly.

After my next grocery trip, I am also going to try a kale smoothie.

Go out and get your KALE on!

To supplement, or not to supplement...

If you are anything like me, I am very confused about which supplements I should be taking. If I followed everyone's advice, I'd be popping pills all day long! I've decided to stick with just one and to eat a very balanced diet.

I only take a multi-vitamin, and I have finally found one that I LOVE. I've tried a few before, and I HATED taking them. Some smelled horrible, others made me want to throw-up if I didn't eat a ginormous meal beforehand, and many were filled with chemicals.

I honestly don't remember how I heard about these vitamins, but I am so happy that I did. Raw One for Women by Vitamin Code is awesome! The vitamins come from FOOD -- whole, uncooked, and untreated food. Because of this, your body is able to absorb the nutrients much more effectively. There is absolutely no gluten, no dairy, no binders, and no fillers. You only have to take one a day, too.

This company offers many different types of vitamins, including special formulas for men, kids, prenatal, over 50, and more. I definitely recommend this brand! You can buy it online. I've also seen it at Vitamin Shoppe and other health stores.

Slim Down Stats

Maybe this will motivate me.. maybe this will inspire you. But as I mentioned before, I love the Tone It Up program. I am jump starting my health journey with their Five Day Slim Down. Here are my beginning stats:

Weight: 132.2 lbs

Measurements

Left Arm: 11 in
Right Arm: 10.5 in
Neck: 12 in
Chest: 34 in
Waist: 29 in
Hips: 35.5 in
Left Thigh: 20.5 in
Right Thigh:20 in
Left Calf: 14.5 in
Right Calf: 14 in

Again, I am not so concerned about the weight. Losing a few inches would be nice so that I can fit in my old clothes. I really want to feel good again. I want to be FIT. I will be honest about the improvements (or lack thereof) I make. However, I think this will be good. :)

Off to start my day with a Booty-Call (early morning workout), my breakfast, and a Bombshell Spell!

I'm Thirsty!

Staying hydrated is SO important to staying healthy. Our bodies are mostly made of water and our cells NEED water in order to function properly. You should drink half your body weight in ounces of water each and every day. I am not so good at this. One major goal I have for myself this week is to follow this advice.

Until recently, I "hydrated" myself with diet pop. WAY TOO MUCH. It was hard, but I finally quit this bad habit about a month ago. Regular pop is bad because it is loaded with sugar and chemicals. Diet pop is even worse because although it doesn't have real sugar, it has extra evil chemicals!

If you are like me, you probably love the fizziness of pop. I do drink regular water and iced tea, but I am able to get my fizz fix with sparkling water. IT IS AMAZING! Zero calories, zero chemicals, zero sugar. You can buy the plain stuff and jazz it up with fruit, or you can purchase some that already have natural flavors.

La Croix Sparkling Water

I personally enjoy the plain and grapefruit flavors the most, but they also have varieties that come in raspberry, lemon, coconut, and more. La Croix (my favorite) is a little pricey, but you can find cheaper brands at pretty much any grocery store.

Make it a goal to drink LOTS of water this week. You should always have something on hand. Not only will it help your body work better, but you will probably feel less hungry and more energized!