Paleo Challenge Results

Okay so it is the end of the 30 day Paleo Challenge... I drank my water, I did my workouts, I ate proteins, fruits, veggies and so on.  Guess what!  I lost two pounds in the first two weeks, however, I had migraines, it messed with my mood, and by the end of the month I actually put on weight!

This challenge has taught me that everybody's body is different and takes to different foods in different ways. I tried hard to eat red meat, and I could not do it.  I ate tuna fish from the can, could not do it.  And I am actually up 4 pounds.  Now I know, I was not eating so terribly on my own without this challenge.  As long as I eat clean, and limit sweets, and keep working out, I think I will be okay.

For those of you who have seen results, that is great and I am happy that it worked for you but unfortunately I do not believe I will be following a strict paleo menu.

XOXO- B

Want to hear a secret??

I am sharing with you one of my favorite beauty secrets!

Back in high school I would faithfully get acrylic nails done for two reasons... A. they looked nice B. the nail polish stayed on for at least three weeks if not longer.

In college I was concerned about the damage done to my nail so I started getting gel nails done (supposedly healthier than acrylics).

Then a few years ago gel polish came out.  A nail polish that lasted at least two weeks but you have to get it done in a salon (but I worked in the salon and had access to it).  Gel polish was nice but it required many many steps to apply and quite the process to remove, and it does hurt some peoples nails... so now what??

Ladies lets admit it!  There is just something about having your nails done that make you look classier and feel more beautiful!  I know I am not the only one out there who thinks that.

And if you do not have the money to faithfully get your nails done, then you are out of luck!   And we can easily pick up a bottle of nail polish and do it ourselves, however, how many of you are like me though and hate to paint your nails because they just end up chipping a day or two later?  How about paying for a manicure? NO WAY!  It just does not seem to last.

Well... I found the secret to great lasting nail polish!! 

A lot of beauty products make claims that they do not follow through on, so initially when I discovered this, I was skeptical but I tried it anyway.  I am IN LOVE!! <3   No lie, this stuff is fantastic.

You do not need a base coat.  You use the color of your choice and then the top coat, that is it!  I am obsessed with this color pictured but I am eager to venture out and try others.  The smell is not too bad and it dries quicker than regular nail polish.  

I decided to do my nails and documents how the polish held up... mind you these photos are after washing my hands many many times, showering, cooking, cleaning, laundry, going to the gym and so on.  So check it out! 

As you can see on day six, I am just now starting  to get chips in my polish.  I could easily go back and fill in the chips and add more top coat but if I decide not to, I can easily take polish remover and take it completely off (and once I remove it, my nails feel perfectly normal, no damage, no soft nails).  But seriously... SIX DAYS.

This company offers a huge selection of colors and they are continuing to add more colors as the seasons change.

If you are interested in purchasing some, I am more than happy to get it for you, let me know.  You can also look at amazon.com but you will not find this in stores.

I hope you enjoyed this review of a new product and try it out.  If you do, or have, comment on my blog and let me know your thoughts!

XOXO- B

Dandruff- What a mess!

You asked for it... you got it! 

This post is on dandruff... you can google and research the causes of dandruff until you are blue in the face, however, trying to find one specific cause of dandruff...  so... good luck!  But whatever the cause may be, it can be messy, embarrassing, and just plain unsightly.  

Since I am turning into a label freak, and trying to stay away from harmful chemicals, I decided to take the time and find the best natural ways to take care of dandruff.  These are things you can try at home, and are natural ingredients, but if you find nothing helps, you may need to see a doctor.

1. Yogurt.  Wash your hair and then put the yogurt on your scalp only and leave on for 10-15 minutes then wash out.

2.  Tea tree oil.  Tea tree is amazing!  You can use it for so many things (acne, body odor, anti-viral, cleaning, just to name a few).  You want to get a shampoo that has at least 5% tea tree in it, or you can buy a small jar of tea tree oil and put on on your scalp before shampooing.  You can also add tea tree oil to your current shampoo.

3.  Olive oil/Coconut oil. You can use either one of these as an overnight treatment.  Apply to your scalp only and sleep with it (just make sure you wrap your head in a towel or do something to protect your pillow.

4.  Baking soda.  Use this in place of your shampoo for two weeks.  Leave on for one minute and then wash it out.  Your skin should start producing oils again, moisturizing your scalp and relieving the dandruff. -- oh and while you are at it, use it as an exfoliate for your face.

5.  Apple cider vinegar.  Mix one part vinegar with one part water and pour onto hair and scalp after you shampoo your hair.  Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with water.  It will smell, there is no other way around it, but once you dry your hair, the smell should subside.  Try doing this once or twice a week.

6.  Egg.  Take two eggs, beat together and then apply to scalp, leaving it on for about an hour.  Not only will this help with the dandruff but it will condition as well! 

I am sure there are plenty more, but I think this is a good start.  Let me know if you have any known natural tricks that work, and if you try any of these, please feel free to share! 

Have a great night! 

XOXO-B

Paleo Challenge Day 14

So this past weekend, I did go off the challenge... no judgments... it was a birthday celebration and everyone brought such AMAZING food! Between cheesecake, canoli's, turkey chili, stir fry, delicious breakfasts-- french toast bake and bagel sandwiches how could I not!

So I lost a pound and gained a pound but then I started strict again as of Monday.

I haven't posted because it has been the typical eggs for breakfast, tuna every day for lunch mixed with avocado, raisins and nuts, and then a healthy chicken dinner with veggies.

I def need some new stuff though.

My workouts this week have been lacking though... it did consist of lifting my adorable nephew though!

Everybody say awwwwww!

Okay, but yesterday I tried a combat class at the Fit Club.

"Take kickboxing to the heavy bag!  Put on your boxing gloves and execute combinations of punches and kicks.  Add in some key conditioning to release your body and feel exhilarated.  YES! YOU CAN DO IT!" 

It started out with warming up using jump-ropes (I haven't used one of those since gym glass with Mrs. Capen), pushups and toe touches... multiple reps of each.  Then I put on boxing gloves for the first time in my life.  First off, let me say, these girls are awesome! Next, this whole workout made me practically throw up!  My lungs are also not conditioned, so it burnnnnnneddd like crazy!

This gym is gonna kick my butt but it is just what I need!! Cannot wait to go back again! Check out Jess on fb and her club!

https://www.facebook.com/FitClubMA

Here are two of my latest's meals ...

 

Paleo Day 6 WEIGH IN

Weigh in ... after 1 week of Paleo I lost... drum roll please..........

 1lb! tada!! 

Not as much as I was hoping for, however, I know it is just a matter of time.  

This weekend I am going away so I cannot guarantee I will follow it 100%.  But I'll let you know how it goes! 

XOXO- B

Paleo Challenge Day 4 & 5

So yesterday I wanted to eat everything in sight! Ya know what I did?  I ate more veggies! And MORE veggies!  And kept going until I was full.

I did 10 push-ups for my "tiny workout" and I did "man" ones (on my toes).  It was hard but I did it! :)

Also, I skipped the video workout because I was teaching at Curves, Body Basics classes for an hour.  I worked my arms and my core.

Breakfast:  2 pieces turkey bacon, 2 eggs in a veggie scramble
Lunch:  Grilled chicken over broccoli and sauteed broccoli slaw.
Dinner:  Shrimp Saute w/onions, peppers, green beans, tomatoes, broccoli slaw and avocado.
Snack: Dark Chocolate, Apple w/sunflower butter

Today I had the ladies over for tea/coffee and snacks.  We try to do it once a month and alternate homes.  I wanted to serve them food but was nervous with me doing paleo.  Well it worked out well, I made a breakfast quiche (no crust) with sauteed onions and peppers in it (no cheese either), hard boiled eggs, turkey bacon and fruit.

For lunch I had chicken salad and tried to make lettuce wraps, however, the romaine was just too small for that. Fail.  But it still tasted yummy.

Dinner was a romaine/arugula salad with leftover sauteed vege's from the night before.

Snack: Banana, Dark Chocolate, Butternut Squash Fries

Plenty of water all day of course.  However, workout got skipped due to my lower back pain.  But this is it in case you want to do it.                                     XOXO- B

Day 3 Paleo Challenge & two YUMMY finds!

Day three was a bit more difficult for me because I had to run a lot of errands and did not have a ton of time to be home to do the workouts... and it was day three of my migraine... :(  

My meals consisted:
Breakfast: 2 eggs with spinach and turkey bacon.
Lunch: 5oz can of tuna mixed with avocado, 1/2 apple, pecans, and raisins.
Dinner: 4 oz baked chicken with 1/2 avocado.
Snacks: Dried Apricots and Granola bar (see below)

I did miss my workouts but will make up for it.  

However, I do want to share some exciting finds while I was out and about.

First off is these barefruit organic bake-dried apricots! There are two servings of ORGANIC apricots, no sugar added and nothing else added.  I ended up having these as a snack when I was out and about and feeling hungry.  Non-GMO.  200 calories for the whole pouch.  I liked them because they were chewy but tough if that makes sense.  It also gave me the feeling like I was eating gummy bears but in a healthier way.  I believe it cost $2.49 for these. 

Next is this gojiberry granola bar by Two Moms in the RAW.  I had seen this around but was never sure if I wanted to try it.  I ended up buying it because the store I bought it from was having a store-wide 25% off. Looks like bird seed doesn't it?  Well, it tastes yummy.  It kind of just tastes like seeds and cinnamon. Everything in it is organic, and real.  Gluten free and paleo approved!  I bought these for $6.99.

Organic Agave

Certified Gluten-free Organic Oat Groats*

Organic Sunflower Seeds

Organic Buckwheat

Organic Pumpkin Seeds

Organic Gojiberries

Organic Millet

Organic Apples

Organic Sesame Seeds

Organic Flax Seeds

Organic Pecans

Organic Almonds

Organic Cinnamon and Sea Salt

XOXO-B

Paleo Day 2

Day two was pretty good for me!  Breakfast was great! I did my 10 push-ups... it has been a while but I was able to do them!  Been drinking lots of water.  Had my favorite snack of a green apple with sunflower butter (this was my fav even before the "challenge")... had a late lunch and dinner because I woke up late today.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1/2 avocado, 2 slices turkey bacon
Snack: Green apple w/sunflower butter
Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with 1/2 avocado mixed in and 2 tbsp mayo.  Sprinkled with S&P and a few raisins, pecans and some apple chunks! Served with arugula and a sprinkle of lemon juice!  YUM!!
Dinner: It was suppose to be salmon with honey lime dressing served over spinach, however, since I was not hungry come dinner time I waited and then just had a few snacks when I was hungry.  First I had two hard boiled eggs, then an apple with sunflower butter.

The hardest parts of day 2... my migraine is still with me!  Not fun!  That is why I woke up late and then I had to take another nap to try and sleep it off. Not sure what is triggering it, but I hope it goes away soon!

Now, I use to take yoga all the time at the gym, it has been a while but I was really looking forward to trying these workouts that were suggested... yoga one wasn't too bad, challenging but nothing I could not handle and relaxing at the same time!  But the butt lift.... holy moleeeeeeee was it painful and it made me sweat!  Not to mention, she makes you end with planks! Speaking of... I was thinking about starting the plank challenge...?  We will see!

Here they are if you want to try them out!

XOXO- B

Day 1 - Paleo Challenge

This week is going to be a "soft start"... I plan to follow it as much as I possibly can, however, I am being taken away next weekend for my 30th Birthday so I am guessing I will steer off just a bit.  But then as soon as I get back, it is back to the grind!! 

I have my starting weight which I will not reveal yet... I decided not to do my measurements, I am just going to wait and see if I can fit into my old jeans.

My goal for this challenge- clear up my skin, feel more energetic and healthy, get back down to my "comfortable weight" of 130, tone up, and feel comfortable in my own skin ---> That has been the hardest part leading up to this.  

Fall/winter of 2012/13 for the first time in my life I was comfortable in my own skin.  I weighed 130lbs, size 6 jeans, I felt thin but not too thin and I was enjoying wearing my clothes. And honestly it was not even about the weight on the scale, it was just how I felt in my skin. Well, since then... I have put on 20+ pounds (can I blame it on marriage?? lol)  and of course I am more self-conscious, my clothes do not fit anymore, I feel even more sluggish and do not want to look at myself in the mirror, nor put on anything even slightly form fitting.

With that being said,  here is day one... I am being guided by a blog so everything I do will either be exactly like this girl suggests OR I will modify a bit. 

Drink 8oz of water right away! 

Tiny workout: Calf raises- 10 with your feet turned out, 10 feet straight, 10 feet turned in. I did this while brushing my teeth as she suggested.  

Snack: A green apple with two tbsp of sunflower butter.  

Lunch: Tuna, 5oz pack of tuna mixed with an avocado 

Dinner: Drink 8oz water with dinner. Grilled chicken- 5 oz of grilled chicken served with (this was suggested) -->spinach and sautéed onions.  I ended up having it on a bed of arugula with some apple pieces, raisins, raw brocc slaw, onions and some pecans.  I drizzled a bit of lemon juice and grape-seed oil for the dressing.   

Now there is also a workout of the day, however, I have been battling a migraine ALL DAY and have not been able to muster up enough energy to do it. I may try and do it before I go to bed but we will see!  Here is what was suggested...

Jillian Michaels 6 wk abs

Lastly, 32 oz of water before lunch and about 20 oz of water since lunch and still going.  I will drink 16 oz of water right before bed as well.

Happy Paleo! 

XOXO- B

30 Day Paleo Challenge

One of my new years or 30th year of life goal was to start eating healthy again and get back in shape.  Well, in doing a large amount of research I decided I am go to do the 30 day Paleo Challenge.  For those of you who do not know, the whole idea behind it is "Eat like a caveman and shed pounds."  

This is a high-protein, high-fiber eating plan.  I am okay with that.  No processed foods- NONE... I think I can handle that.  The only thing I will have to adjust is substitutions to red meat because I do not really eat it (by not really I mean, maybe once every 6 months or so, maybe less).  I also have to be extremely strict on my water intake... as much as I love water and pretty much drink that and nothing else, I do not drink nearly as much as I should.

I plan to start on Sunday, so tomorrow is the big shopping trip.  I am also on an extremely tight budget so I am hoping I can get everything I need for week 1 plus food for my husband (he will not want to do this full fledge with me).  My plan it to hit up the sales at Adams Market, Aldi's, Trader Joes and Whole Foods.  

If any of you have tips or tricks, suggestions, comments, please feel free to let me know.  Have any good recipes to share? I'm in! 

This will also coincide with my anti-inflammatory diet, so that will be great as well!  This not only helps weight loss but can help with gut issues, digestion, clear up skin, and more.

I do not know if this will turn into a lifelong lifestyle, but I am looking forward to seeing changes within 30 days and then go from there.

This is quite personal for me, but I will share my results once I have some to share!

To a happy and healthy new year! 

xoxo- B

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

If I am being completely honest, I was happy to say goodbye to 2013.  

Without getting into specifics, I am just looking forward to a new year.  

I am not big on resolutions but I did think of some goals that I would like to obtain now in my 30's. 

--in no particular order--

1.  Spend more quality time with my husband.

2.  Laugh more and cry less.

3.  Start a health and beauty youtube channel.

4.  Blog more regularly.

5.  Grow spiritually.

6.  Get back in shape and eat healthy again.

7.  Start volunteering whether it be in the community or for a charity, or something.

8.  Become organized!! 

9.  Do more hair/makeup.

10.  Try new things.

What are your resolutions or goals?

XOXO- B

Lang may yer lum reek!