Sampling Sunday: 4

Hi there!

Not that anyone cares, but I must clarify that I know I should have posted this on Sunday. However, I'm posting this a day late to accommodate my Whole30 posts on Sundays.

The last time I posted about samples I wrote about my preference of CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara over any expensive mascara, particularly the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara  It got me thinking: aside from perfumes, mascaras are one of the most popular samples!

I looked through my sample arsenal and it was confirmed: I have seven in my possession.
Naturally I had to write a post about my preference, from Hate to Great!

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1. HATE: Benefit's They're Real Mascara, $23. I don't get the hype about this mascara. It's easily the worst I have ever used and takes ridiculous effort to remove. I guess that's why the product now has its own remover? Whatever. I can think of many more things more worthy of my $23 and this isn't it. Hats off to you if you like it. I just don't get it.
2. HATE: Mary Kay's Lash Love Lengthening Mascara, $15. Another mascara that takes too much effort to remove, and it makes my eyes itch on top of it. No thank you. Also, I didn't really notice any lengthening...
3. MEH: Mary Kay's Ultimate Mascara, $15. Basically the same as the Lengthening but it doesn't make my eyes itch. I don't notice much of a difference otherwise.
4. MEH: Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara, $19. Eh. Not terrible, but nothing remarkable either. Next!
5. MEH: Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara, $20. I think it's legit, and I feel pretty wearing it, but not for $20. 
6. GREAT! Smashbox's Full Exposure Mascara, $20. I love this mascara. The brush is very full and gives my lashes substantial volume and length. It doesn't make my eyes itch and removing isn't too tricky. I recommend!
7. GREAT! Cover Girl's LashBlast Volume Mascara, $8.99. It's everywhere, it's often on sale. Go cheap, go home, and feel good about replacing every three months (like we all should and none of us really do...right?). This mascara is the best there is in my book!

Disclaimer: 
I have absolutely no beauty product clout. I'm not cool enough for companies to ask for my opinion and I either paid for these mascaras or they were given to me as samples for other purchases. Opinions are obviously my own.

Have you tried any of the mascaras I listed? What do you think?

Have a good one!

My Whole30: Week 3

Hi gang!

As a reminder, I started the Whole30 Program on January 2 and I'm using my Sunday posts to share some of the recipes, while highlighting my favorite on my Wednesday posts. Some co-workers are also doingWhole30, and my husband, Andrew, eats most of what I make, too. Great support system!

Today marks Day 17 of the 30 day program and I'm still going strong. I admit I had a couple of glasses of wine this week, but considering that my will-power helped me say "no" to multiple opportunities for champagne, chips, and delicious-looking sweets, I think I'll take it as a successful week.

Here's what we plan to make for the upcoming week:

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1. We got a brand new slow cooker for Christmas, and one of the reasons Andrew wanted it was to make this Williams-Sonoma Bolognese Sauce. We're breaking in the slow cooker today! I'm going to put the sauce over my new favorite, zoodles! It's going to make SO much and I am happy to have the leftovers!
2. I am pumped to use the slow cooker again tomorrow, to make Shredded Salsa Chicken for lunches! I know this is going to be awesome and I'm excited for lunches this week!
3. I looooove Ramen Noodles. Always have, always will. I wish I could eat it all of the time, but alas, it's truly terrible for you. When I saw this Healthy "Ramen" Noodles recipe I instantly pinned it! I haven't had spaghetti squash in years, so I'm interested in trying them again, especially if it means that my beloved "Ramen" is actually healthy! Lunch tomorrow! Woot!
4. When we need a break from the awesome Bolognese, we'll make the Paleo Italian Chicken Fingers! We may just have this with steamed veggies and boiled red potatoes, but who knows, maybe we'll do some red sauce and spaghetti squash like the picture. We shall see!

I am looking forward to cooking up a storm today and tomorrow to prepare for the week. I have continued to load my Healthy Foods Pinterest Board with even more recipes that I know I'll try long after the 30 days are done, especially some paleo sweets!

How is your Whole30 going? We're half way finished! Go us!!

Do you have recipes that I should try? Please share!
Have you caved and had anything you shouldn't? I won't tell, no judgment here!

Have a good one!

Little Bit of Sass Thursday

Feel like a laugh?
Read on, friends, read on.

Walking outside, the wind makes my eyes water, then this happens:

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How I feel about anything sugary during the Whole30 Program:

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Wine and tequila told me the same thing:

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Word.

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...and it's calling my name:

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Have a good one!

Work It Out Wednesday: Week 12

Hi gang!
What's shaking this week?
I'm super tired for some reason and have been such a weakling during my workouts. So weird!
I've been to boxing a couple of times and just wasn't hitting as hard or bouncing around as much and the P90X yoga was difficult for me. The workout I share with you today really busted my bum, too! I'm eating super healthy and am not drinking, so why are my workouts so difficult for me this week? I'm perplexed!


Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.


Weekly Workout:

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How I made it harder:  I added weights allowing me to do curls during the lunges, but aside from that I didn't do anything else. Three rounds were plenty for me.
Overall impression: I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood to workout or I'm getting sick or what, but I really found this tough! I felt faint, actually! Maybe all of the up and down movements? I don't know...
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): About a 6.
How I felt when it was over: Relieved and faint! I don't know what was up with me, but I did not do anything after this except rest and shower. I was planning to do an ab or arm workout after this, but I decided to listen to my body.
Would I do it again? Probably not. Wasn't my favorite.

OK, when I did this workout and wrote this post I thought this workout sounded familiar. After looking back, it seems that I did this workout back in November and loved it. I even did five rounds. When I did this on Sunday it must have just not been my day, but I still doubt I'll do it again.

Weekly recipe:
Every week this month I'm recapping my Whole30 experience, and am sharing recipes for others going through the program. I'm using my Wednesday posts to highlight my favorite recipe of the week.

This week the top new recipe for me was the Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin & Balsamic Glaze:

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Yum! Beef Tenderloin sure is pricey, but wow it's good. We definitely want to make this for future dinner parties, holidays and other special occasions. I highly recommend you give it a whirl!

Weekly motivation:

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Both very true!

Weekly workout sass

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haha hope you laughed at those!


Have a good one!

Let's Be Friends Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop! This is my second time participating and I just love the concept. Tiffany and Chelsee are lovely ladies! Please read on and join in the fun!

Welcome to the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop!

A blog hop is a set time frame for current or aspiring bloggers to find new blogs and quality content. It is a great way to make new friends and find inspiration! It is also a fabulous way to promote your own blog and posts.

Dear Friends,

What a day to celebrate! This is the 100th week of the Let's Be Friends blog hop! Thanks for joining us on this special day. Chelsee and Tiffany are extremely delighted to see the way this hop has grown and love to see your faces each week!

To celebrate 100 weeks of linking up, we are giving away a $25 Starbucks gift card along with free ad space on a few blogs this week to one of you amazing bloggers. THANK YOU for helping us keep this link up going on so long- it is wonderful to see how many bloggers have connected via this small weekly event.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

My Whole30: Week 2

Hi gang!

As a reminder, I started the Whole30 Program on January 2. Some co-workers are doing, it too, which is awesome. Today marks Day 10 of the 30 day program and so far, so good! I'm feeling great and my clothes don't feel as tight as they did over the holidays. Always a happy feeling!

I'm using my Sunday posts to share some of the recipes I'm trying in case anyone out there is looking for some good ones. I'll highlight my favorites on my Wednesday posts.

Sound good? Cool.
Let's get started.

By the way, I say "we" a lot. My husband, Andrew, is eating all of this, too!

So far, here's what we have had or plan to make for the upcoming week:

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1. This chicken is SO good. I doubled the recipe so we could have a ton of leftovers and I'm so happy that I did! This Mustard Balsamic Baked Chicken is incredibly delicious. The sauce is so tasty and makes a great salad dressing, actually! This is going to be a regular recipe for sure!
2. This is supposed to be a side dish and not to satisfy a sweet craving...buuuuut I will probably eat it as a side dish immediately after I eat something savory for dinner (*wink*). Caramelized Apples and Cinnamon sounds decadent, but according to the blogger who wrote this recipe it is Whole30 approved! I can't wait to try it!
3. This is cooking in our crock pot as I write this and I am stoked for it to finish! We are excited to try something so fancy, but no matter how awesome this Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze probably is, we will not have this too often. I found out the hard way just how expensive beef tenderloin is, even on sale! Wow! But we're justifying it as a trial for a potential dinner party or holiday dish. Plus, this will satisfy a few meals so at least we know we're getting leftovers out of it. I did omit the sugar for the sauce and substituted coconut flour for the flour. Also, I used a bacon without sugar or added sugar (it's the Mariano's Roundy's brand).
4. Growing up, my Grandpa made us Pig In A Blanket whenever we'd visit, which if you've never had it is basically ground beef wrapped in cabbage in a tomato sauce. It's awesome and makes me think of him whenever I have it. When I saw this Paleo Cabbage Roll Skillet Dinner recipe I knew I needed to give it a whirl. Plus, it will make easy work lunches! I plan to make it tonight as I prepare for the week!
5. [Not pictured] Andrew makes an incredible bolognese sauce and he made it for us last night! Instead of noodles, though, I used my new spiralizer and made zucchini noodles. I was pleasantly surprised with how good and easy zoodles are! 

Did those recipes just make you hungry? Who knew eating healthy didn't have to be boring? OK fine, I guess I knew that, but I was just too lazy to explore paleo/whole30 options. I've been loading my Healthy Foods Pinterest Board with even more recipes that I know I'll try long after the 30 days are done! I really do think that I can keep this up, especially for breakfast and lunches on work days, which is encouraging!

However, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. I caved this week and had some sparkling water and a diet pop. I think it's funny how, out of everything I've gone "cold turkey" on (coffee, lattes, dairy, carbs, etc.) pop is the hardest for me! I'm sure there is some science behind this addiction. I may try to give it up for Lent, too, because I can see it truly being a sacrifice. How silly, right?

How is your Whole30 going so far? Do you have recipes that I should try? Are you addicted to pop or fizzy drinks, too?
Please share!

Have a good one!

Work It Out Wednesday: Week 11

Hi gang!

How's your first week back in the swing of things? Swinging?
Mine is going well. My sleeping has been awful, but at least everything else is good!
Thanks to my lack of sleep (my head just doesn't turn off!!), it's been tough to get to boxing in the mornings. Plus it is, legitimately, freezing and walking home sweaty doesn't sound like a good idea. OK fine, that's a lazy excuse.

Thankfully P90X, Pinterest and my Motivation board helps to kick me back in gear on the coldest of days.
Back to boxing on Friday when it's above zero degrees outside at 6am! (I hope?)

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.


Weekly Workout:

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How I made it harder: I did five rounds of this circuit. I also added weights allowing me to do curls during the lunges and lateral extensions with the squats/lateral leg raises. I also didn't follow the rules and did each motion for each leg (aka ten lunges per leg, eight diamond taps per leg, etc.). After the five rounds I did some extra arm exercises.
Overall impression: Super quick and great to do when I need to multitask at home, like last night as dinner baked in the oven!
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): Considering that the oven was on and that the heat was cranked, I'd give myself a solid 7 on this one. It would probably be less if I didn't do extra movements and if the heat in the room wasn't as high.
How I felt when it was over: Great! Plus, I had the Georgetown game on mute in the background and my workout was finished in time to watch the win! Hoya Saxa!
Would I do it again? Absolutely, especially when I need a quick sweat fest.

Weekly recipe:
Every week this month I'm recapping my Whole30 experience, and am sharing recipes for others going through the program. I'm using my Wednesday posts to highlight my favorite recipe of the week.
This week the top new recipe for me was the Easy Paleo Pot Roast (Whole30 Compliant):

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YUM!
Gang, this is so insanely easy, makes your home smell awesome all day, and tastes delicious!!
I highly recommend it!

Weekly motivation:

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Heck yeah it will! 

Remember, weight is just a number! Focus on how you feel!

Weekly workout sass

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Made me giggle, hope you did, too!


Have a good one!