Favorite Beauty Essentials!

I decided that I would share some of my favorite body and beauty products with whoever might be in search of a quality product to help with the dry season. These products help me maintain and repair the damaging effects winter weather brings to our skin and hair. I only recommend products to people if I REALLY love them enough to give 5 stars! I hope this list helps you out as much as these products help me out year round! If you want to see consumer ratings and review click on the product title to visit the purchase site! So, here you go! My top 10 must have beauty essentials!

*Favorite Face Wash*
Tea Tree Oil Face Wash from Trader Joes for $5.49
- This face wash will get off a full face of makeup with only one lather and rinse! I transfer it to a 3oz travel spray bottle and use about 10 sprays in my hand for one use. This way is most effective and the bottle will last up to 6 months! Be very careful to not get in your eyes!!!

*Favorite Body Wash*
Equate Extra Moisturizing Body Wash from Walmart for $3.47
- This is actually award winning body wash! I tried Target's generic version and it didn't come close. This wash is just as good as Oil of Olay moisturizing body wash, but for way less.

*Favorite Body Scrub*
Coffee Body Polish from Mellow Minds Natural Products for $4.50
- Made with Coffee  Grounds, Vitamin E, Olive Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. This product helps fight cellulite and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and refreshed. A previous blog where I wrote about this product can tell you even more!

*Favorite Body Oil*
Neutrogena Body Oil from Target for $7.99
- This body oil can be used at the end of your shower after you have washed and rinsed your body wash and body scrub. It's not thick like baby oil, so it locks in moisture without clogging your pores!

*Favorite Body Lotion*
True Blue Spa Nourishing Monoi Oil Lotion from Bath & Body Works for $15.00
- This lotion has this perfectly sweet tropical smell that lasts all day along with the outstanding moisturizing benefits! It comes in a big bottle and a little goes a long way!

*Favorite Shampoo Conditioner*
Redken All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner from ULTA for $13.50
- This shampoo works so well that you might just think the shampoo is the conditioner. That is, until you use the conditioner... then you realize that they're both just amazing products that leave your hair simply, super soft!

*Favorite Hair Repair*
Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil from Walgreens for $7.99
- If your hair won't grow or you want it to grow way faster, use this! I apply it to the scalp at night whenever it's convenient and wash out the next day. Works incredibly well! (You can also find this product at certain Sally's Beauty Supply and Walmart locations for about five dollars).

*Favorite Face Lotion*
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion from Clinique for $13.00
- This face lotion doesn't leave my skin irritated, just soft and smooth! It is best to put on five minutes before applying makeup, as with any face moisturizer.

*Favorite Lip Balm*
C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm from Bath & Body Works for $7.50
- This is a chap stick in a lip gloss tube and with a similar texture but without the sticky feeling boyfriends hate. It soothes and repairs dry, cracked lips while leaving a sweet taste on your newly soft and kissable lips!

*Favorite Face Toner*
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice from Fresh Real Lemons for about $0.39
- I researched about this natural remedy online and looked at numerous reviews. After seeing the wonderful comments about the benefits, I decided to try it for myself. The lemon juice remedy kept the smallest blemishes away, left a refreshing after glow, and smooth skin!

Junk Food Craving?

We are in between Thanksgiving and New Years! In America, this typically means loading up on sweets, goodies, carbs, and fat. There are sugary pumpkin latte's, cranberry scones, and creamy soups everywhere this time of year! It's easy to give into these unhealthy temptations if you are unprepared or unaware. Just a few slip-ups could hurt your fitness goals before you even realize it. While you're out and about shopping for Christmas gifts, be sure to give yourself the gift of health! Prevent and tackle winter cravings with these tips I use, which happen to be very effective! (Hint: A food craving only lasts 10 minutes! What will you have planned for your next one?)

1. Brush your teeth, floss, and rinse. (If your mouth is minty clean, you will want to keep it that way!)
2. Pop a mint followed by a cold bottle of water. (I like wintergreen ice breakers!)
3. Eat a small handful of almonds or walnuts. (These healthy fats slow digestion and rid your craving within 10-20mins!)
4. Do a 10 minute cardio circuit while the craving passes (like: crunches, jumping jacks, pushups)
5. Keep a healthy snack in your purse. (An apple, orange, or banana with some walnuts or almonds)

Sometimes cravings can seem overwhelming, but it's all in your mind. If you can defeat even the most tempting cravings then not only will you start to feel strong mentally but your body will eventually thank you with a lean and toned physique! Remembering to always be prepared is one of the best tips for success!

*If you have a useful tip on curbing a craving, I would love for you to share it with me!*

Sweet Potato Cookies!

I love sweet potatoes (yams) for multiple reasons. I like to think of them as nature's dessert! They are naturally sweet and packed with nutrition. Since the holidays are here, I have even more reasons to bake! I wanted to create a healthy and yummy cookie recipe that everyone would enjoy while reaping the health benefits as well! I looked up a few recipes and took ideas from each one and created my own! These cookies turned out to be a hit! They are very soft and fluffy, almost like a doughnut! Even though you'll want to eat all of them, you won't be able to. After eating just a few, your stomach will be completely satisfied! I just had to pass this recipe on! So here you go!

Sweet Potato Cookies

Ingredients:
* 15oz homemade puree'd yams
* 1 egg (room temperature)
* 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
* 1/4 cup xyla (or baking splenda optional)
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 2 cups whole grain flour
* 2 tbs oat flour (whole grain flour optional)
* 2 tbs coarsely ground flaxseed
* 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
* 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
* 1/8 tsp nutmeg
* 1/4 tsp real salt
* 1/2-1 tsp cinnamon (your preference)
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
* 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (optional)

Utensils:
* 2 med-large mixing bowls
* 2 mixing spoons
* measuring cups
* measuring spoons
* 1 large cookie baking sheet
* aluminum foil (optional)
* cooking spray (for baking sheet)
* cookie cooling rack
* large sealable container (to store cookies)

Directions:
1. Boil yams on stove top for 25-30mins. (to retain the vitamin and fiber benefits boil yams in skin- place a covered pot of water on the burner on high, add yams, once it reaches a boil lower to med-hi).
2. Yams will be ready when you can easily pierce through them with a fork.
3. Blend the yams until they turn into a smooth puree.
4. In a mixing bowl, add egg, brown sugar, xyla, honey, applesauce, vanilla extract, and puree'd yams.
5. In another mixing bowl mix remaining dry ingredients together very well.
6. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
7. Gradually add dry mixture to the wet mixture, combine well.
8. Drop by teaspoon full onto greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes. (If using flaxseed, cookies will bake faster).
10. Cool cookies on rack then enjoy! (Or store in sealed container)

*I also made these with a scoop of protein powder and the texture/flavor didn't change*

Guiltless Ice Cream!

Wait a second! I know some of you may be thinking, did she just say, "guiltless ice cream"? If that is you, then yes, I sure did! Not only is it healthy but it is great tasting too! I love ice cream and to know I can eat it feeling guilt-free is an amazing feeling!
There are many other great things about this healthy ice cream recipe! One being, that you can change it up almost anyway you want and it can be made in less than 10 minutes with very few and inexpensive everyday ingredients!
I tried the original version of this recipe from my fitness magazine, Oxygen.
It didn't turn out how I had hoped. It called for way too much extract and the plain greek yogurt was too bland. So here is my version along with some other varieties you can try. This recipe makes 2 servings.
Have you got another healthy idea that I missed? Let me and the readers know!

Guiltless Protein Ice Cream

Ingredients:
* 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
* 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
* 1/4 cup vanilla greek yogurt
* 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
* a small sprinkle of your choice mixer
* ice (enough to fill freezer ziploc bag halfway)

Mixer Options/Extract Options
* almonds/walnuts/cashews/hazelnuts/chestnuts
* frozen strawberries/blueberries/raspberries/bananas/pineapple/mango
* spoonful natural peanut butter/almond butter/cocoa baking powder
* 1 crushed peppermint candy/or sugar free werthers caramel hard candy
* Pure Extracts: vanilla, almond, peppermint, lemon, orange, raspberry, and cinnamon. Imitation Extracts: banana, strawberry, cherry, maple, coconut, and rum.

Utensils:
* 1 freezer ziploc bag
* 1 sandwich ziploc bag
* blender (optional)
* measuring spoons
* measuring cups
* Oven mitts (optional)
* strong arms and shoulders :)

Directions:
1. Mix/blend all ingredients (except for topping/salt/ice)
2. Pour mixture into sandwich bag and add topping, seal, set aside.
3. Fill a gallon freezer bag halfway with ice. Add 1/2 cup table salt.
4. Place small bag in large bag and seal. Put on oven mitts (recommended).
5. Shake the bag vigorously for 5 minutes, until mixture becomes creamy.
6. Remove the small bag and rinse off the salt with cold water.
7. Enjoy 100% guilt free!

My Gym Bag!

Any girl who is serious about getting in great shape or keeping her great figure should most definitely consider keeping a prepared gym bag so there are no excuses for missing a workout!

Here's What I've Got In My Gym Bag!
*Training Log Notebook
*Weight Training Gloves
*Hand Towel (for ab workouts or sweat)
*iPod & Headphones (with gym playlist)
*Sugar Free Gum (great during workouts)
*Chapstick/SPF stick
*Tanning Lotion/Goggles
*Banana (for recovery)

Is there something in your gym bag that's not in mine that is helpful for your fitness success?!

I also would like to add a note that one of my favorite fitness models Jennifer Nicole lee aka "JNL", is giving away an autographed self portrait to anyone who sends a picture of themselves with the December 2011 issue of Oxygen magazine!

So go get yours and get your booty in shape before the holidays! It won't be hard either with a motivational, autographed picture of one of the most well known fitness models today! E-mail your photo (holding the magazine) to jnlpublicity@gmail.com I e-mailed mine and got a reply minutes later saying, "You got it! What's your address?" I am so excited! JNL rocks! "Strong is the new skinny" -JNL

Jamie Eason Recipe!

This is my favorite healthy recipe and my favorite Jamie Eason protein recipe! I think it should be called pumpkin protein bread because that is exactly what it tastes like! I have made these bars many times and everytime I do, I offer them to friends and family and they love them! I think it is a great recipe for introducing the fact that healthy food doesn't have to taste bland and disgusting. It proves that healthy alternatives can be just as tasty & delicious as unhealthy options! So enough talking this recipe up since it definitely speaks for itself! Here you go!

Pumpkin Protein Bars

Ingredients:
* ½ C Xylitol Brown Sugar Blend (May use regular brown sugar)
* 1 - 4 oz. jar baby food applesauce (I use regular unsweetened applesauce)
* 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1 ½ tsp. ground ginger
* ½ tsp. ground clove (I don't use)
* 1 tsp. baking powder
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* ½ tsp. salt
* 2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 4 large egg whites
* 1 - 15 oz. can of raw pumpkin
* 2 C oat flour (You may buy or make your own with quality blender)
* 2 scoops vanilla whey protein
* ½ cup almond milk
* ½ C chopped walnuts (optional)

Utensils:
* 1 large mixing bowl
* 1 9x13 pyrex dish
* 1 mixing spoon
* measuring cups
* measuring spoons
* cookie cooling rack
* tupperware or plastice wrap (for storing)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Spray a 9X13 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.
3. Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well.
4. Add the final 3 ingredients (4, if adding walnuts), and mix until incorporated. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min.
5. Makes 24 squares- cut slowly with sharp knife and place squares on cooling rack for 10-15 minutes before packaging/storing.
6. (If you plan on storing longer than 2 days, I suggest storing in the fridge).

Protein Granola Bars!

I tried a recipe for protein granola bars that was in the October issue of Oxygen fitness magazine. They were very tasty, but I like to make my own versions of healthy recipes as well. The chocolate chips in this recipe were added for my baby since he doesn't always eat as healthy as I do! You can leave them out completely or even add dark chocolate as I did. The best quality of dark chocolate will contain 72% or more cocoa. And the higher the number the healthier it is. (In moderation of course)!
Anyway... I personally love this recipe because a lot of these ingredients are staple items in my kitchen and I can make them whenever! These are super yummy and a great little snack for on the go! Hope you like em'!

Banana Walnut Protein Granola Bars
Ingredients (in order):
* 2 small ripe bananas (mashed)
* 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
* 1/3 cup canola oil
* 1 tbs raw honey
* 1 egg (beaten)
* 1/4 tsp real salt
* 1/4 tsp baking soda
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
* 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
* 1/2 cup whole grain flour
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
* 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
* 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Utensils:
* 1 medium-large mixing bowl
* 1 large mixing spoon
* 1 rubber scraping spatula
* 1 9x13in glass pan (sprayed)
* measuring cups
* measuring spoons

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 325 F
2. Add one ingredient at a time into a medium-large bowl for easier & better mixing. (Tip:start with first ingredient to last).
3. Once all ingredients are mixed well, pour & scrape mixture into pan.
4. Bake for 20 mins, or until edges are golden
5. Slice into small squares immediately
6. Place on a cookie cooling rack for 10-15 minutes.
7. If placing in tupperware, first place down a paper towel inside. (Or they will get too moist & sticky & spoil faster)
8. You may also individually wrap each square in plastic wrap. (As I prefer to do)
9. (If you plan on storing for more than 2 days, I suggest storing in the fridge).
10. Enjoy anytime, anywhere, with anyone!

Fueling My Body!

Meal 1 (10am) *the usual*
1/3cup oats with 1/2cup blueberries & 1tbsp coarsely ground flaxseed & 2 fried eggs with 1tsp organic ketchup

Meal 2 (2pm) *protein shake*
1cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1scoop vanilla whey protein powder

Meal 3 (430pm) *chinese chicken salad*
1 cup mix of butter lettuce, green cabbage, romaine lettuce, sliced celery, peanuts, tossed with a soy-sesame vinaigrette

Meal 4 (630pm) *protein granola bar*
1 square (1/3 of a serving) of my pumpkin almond protein granola bars, and a small nonfat pumpkin latte.

Meal 5 (1045pm) *chicken & egg sandwich*
3/4 of a sandwich- 1/3 cup shredded boiled chicken breast, two fried eggs, and a slice of low-fat cheddar cheese, all between 2 slices of Ezekial bread (toasted) and spread with mustard.

Not Eating Enough!

I have noticed that not only am I not eating enough food, but I am not eating as frequently as I should either. Most people don't think about timing their meals but anyone who is passionate about health or fitness knows that this is a very important thing to be aware of if you are trying to build or maintain muscle. It is also very important for keeping your metabolism constantly going!
For a health and fitness lover like myself, I have to admit that I am disappointed in myself for poor planning. I know that every single day can't always be perfect but if you aren't disciplined enough, missing one day or week could lead you to miss another. By the time you realize it, a few weeks of improper meal/workout planning have come and gone! And so has your muscle mass! That's why it's always good to be aware of what you are doing or aren't doing to achieve your goals.
I haven't been eating enough for the past week. Tomorrow I am going to change that! I am going to eat at least 5 small meals every 2 1/2-3 hours) I will dedicate as much time in the kitchen as I need, to prepare fresh veggies, cooked marinated chicken breasts, homemade protein bars, etc.
It may sound like a lot of work, but once you have everything going it's actually a stress reliever and more like fun than a task. The following week will be super easy and you know you won't miss a meal!

*POOR PLANNING FOOD LOG* 11-05-11

Meal 1 (12pm) *the usual*
1/3cup oats with 1/2cup blueberries & 1tbsp coarsely ground flaxseed & 2 fried eggs with 1tsp organic ketchup

Meal 2 (415pm) *lean ground beef tacos*
3 mini corn tortillas, lean ground beef, homemade pico, sprinkle of cheese

Meal 3 (830pm) *protein shake*
1cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1scoop vanilla whey protein powder

Meal 4 (11pm) *carrots & celery w/hummus*
7 carrot sticks, 7 celery sticks, 1/4cup tomato basil hummus

Even though most of these meals are pretty healthy, I ended up feeling sick by the end of the day because I am not getting enough of my macro-nutrients. (protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats). Also, eating small meals more often speeds the metabolism which actually keeps you thinner! So girls, don't starve yourselves!!! Eat as many veggies and lean sources of protein as you'd like, just be sure to monitor your timing and intake with whole grains, starches, and fruits!
I will be setting a mini goal to remember to prepare and eat food in a timely bodybuilding manner!!!

Coffee Body Scrub!

I just had to share what an amazing experience I had in the shower this morning! First, I will let you know that I woke up feeling a bit under-slept with no idea how I was going to wake myself up mentally for work.
So, for Halloween I had used some wash-off Sally Hanson spray tanner.
Even though I had showered and scrubbed my body with bodywash, after celebrating, for some reason I still felt like my pores had some of the tanner in them. I randomly decided to try out this coffee body scrub that my aunt made as a product for her natural skin care company-Mellow Minds. She had given it to me as a gift for Christmas last year. OMG! Was I glad I did!!!
I first lathered my body with a squeeze of my favorite bodywash (Oil of Olay- Ultra Moisture) on my loofah. I then dug out some coffee body scrub from the jar (a little goes a long way) and began applying it and exfoliating it into my skin for about 10-20 seconds per area. The aroma was like walking into a coffee shop on a busy morning and it instanly woke my mind and all my senses! With the combonation of the bodywash and coffee body scrub my skin looked and smelled like a freshly handmade espresso latte'.
(By the way... it's so fun to apply and feels cool)! I don't usually like being in the shower for too long but using it reminded me of my little sister when she was younger. She would be in the bath for hours, using all of the body washes she could; playing and making bubbly messes. I caught myself though! I knew I had to get ready for work and could always use the coffee body scrub in the next shower, and the next! Not only that, but I was wide awake by the time I had rinsed it all off!
After rinsing my hands of it, I began to wash my face and noticed that my hands had been exfoliated beyond belief! They felt so smooth! Even better... After drying off my skin was so smooth it felt like touching a newborn baby! Apply lotion afterwards and your skin transformation is complete!

So if you don't know me very well yet then you should know this one thing...

If I like something a lot, (I mean like A LOT, A LOT) then I will go on and on about it to whoever I think might benefit from it as much as I have! People who know of this tell me that I should do infomercials! So basically, I only brag if the product or service is top knotch quality! And people... this coffee body scrub definitely is! And what is even more amazing? My aunt is the creator of it!
If you haven't already tried it you must do so! I will be buying some for stocking stuffers and myself! The blue printed text in the beginning of this blog is a link to the website. Contact her from the website for odering/shipping information!

Sugar Cookie Tea!

One of my holiday must haves is Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea by Celestal Seasonings! I couldn't find it anywhere last year and was so disappointed. This year my baby found it as we turned the corner of an isle in Walmart. Oh yeah! He scored major points and knew it too! I made a very yummy cup of this just now! It is a great "diet dessert beverage"!

* 1 cup boiling water
* 2 tea bags
* 1 tbs honey
* 2 scoops stevia
* splash unsweetened almond milk

**steep tea bags for 5 minutes, then add remaining ingredients**

Like a chai tea latte' but sugar cookie flavor! Delicious and Wintery!

Trick Or Treat?

Even with all the smiles, laughter, and family fun over the days in the past week it has led to some slight disappointment and discomfort with the foods I ate and how they affected me inside and out! I guess I had a few too many cheat treats! With all of the apple hill sweets and restaurant meals I have allowed myself to consume, I am now paying the price! Even though my treats were planned, I still had TOO MANY!!!
Recently I read a blog and a nutrition article about cheating on your diet.
Both readings pretty much discussed cheating on your nutrition program or "diet". If and how cheating works for you. Stating that some people prefer to cheat with a very small item each day or throughout the week and how others choose to plan out a cheat treat or meal for the week or specified amount of time.
After feeling the effects from randomly cheating on my diet (lifestyle), I know for an absolute fact that a whole day or random cheats is definitely not for me. I end up feeling one or more of the following symptoms: sick, sluggish, sleepy, moody, bloated, fat, ugly, stomach ache. I am so glad that I choose to eat nutritious foods most of the time! I honestly don't know what I would do or where I would be right now if I didn't have a growing concern and passion for health and fitness! I could never imagine myself choosing a lifestyle of mostly poor food choices. I feel that I would be a very depressed and insecure person if I ever did change my healthy lifestyle. I would not have the confidence I have now from the benefits and results that exercise and healthy "whole foods" provide!
In conclusion, a perfect cheat for me would be the "planned cheat treat". Not only do I agree with the other blog and article about the guiltless factor because it was planned, but my body also agrees with it! I feel that a planned cheat is more so considered a "treat", while a cheat food that is consumed spur of the moment through temptation is considered a "trick"! Your gut is tricking your mind to cheat yourself, which is not productive to achieving your fitness goals. I think if you are really in-tune with your health and body then the choice should be just as easy for you! Your body won't lie to you about how ANYTHING makes you feel! I know this because healthy foods make me feel great and junk foods only make me feel good for the short-lived moment that the flavor is being enjoyed and then my body decides just how good it really is (or ISN'T)!!!
Since I do have enough nutrition knowledge to get my own idea of what foods (and the amount in which they are consumed) will negatively effect my body, the choice is up to me! I need to be aware and active about my choices and reasonings. Ultimately, I need to make the choice if the cheat is right timing and worth my while. Will it be productive or counter-productive to my fitness goals? Will it set me back too far or barely affect my goals? Be honest with your choices, otherwise you are only cheating yourself!

Why Just Wait?

I wonder if other people realize just how much time we spend our lives waiting. We wait at stoplights, in grocery store lines, at the bank, in the doctor's office, holds over the phone, and even our loved ones can keep us waiting! It is estimated that we spend 45-60 minutes each day waiting or a little over two weeks every year. Imagine all that waiting time accumalated over your lifetime!
I am very a.d.d. so i like to keep myself busy at all times. I prefer to be productive whenever possible. I have been waiting in a doctor's office for the past hour and a half today. I could choose to wait, perhaps people-watch a little, maybe stare at the wall, even play a game on my smart phone, or i could use my time productively!
Like right now I am writing this blog which is productive to me because I have made it a goal to write out my thoughts and get them on my blog and out of my head so I can sleep well at night.
There are many other productive things you can do while waiting to save yourself time later when you don't really have the time in the first place.
You could make a grocery list of healthy foods to buy, and if you're still waiting after that, you can make a meal plan for the week so you don't let any groceries go to waste. I know that if I don't plan my meals ahead of time, sometimes I risk wasting fresh and nutritious produce. It's a horrible feeling!
If you've already got that covered, you could make a to do list so that you are caught up with your priorities. It will relieve some stress by just knowing that you are completely organized for the day or even the week. You won't be wondering if you forgot something and it very well could save you time and money by being on top of your to do list!
If you haven't already created a list of your goals and aspirations while you're waiting, doing so is a great idea! You can even rehearse them over and over so you don't forget what should be most important to achieving success!
If you're like me and you've already made your lists but you're still waiting, you could read an educational book, maybe the bible if you prefer. You could even plan a special date or get together down to the very last details for you and a loved one. There are endless ideas! Do you have any? Or would you rather just wait?

Do You Remember?

I got really busy yesterday and couldn't find the time to blog even though I wanted to share about my day! I went to church. The message was about "The Gospel" and it's importance. Here are my notes:
Someone who is constantly looking at the "drama of the reality of life" will be a better person. The first christians had their eyes open to the "drama of the reality of life" (the gospel) that set them on fire and changed their lives.
There won't be peace in the world if there is not first peace in man.
Has your face been dampened? Is the holy spirit burning in you today?
There are major preoccupations in our culture. Those being: appearance, entertainment, sports, careers, standards of living, self indulgment, narcacism. Don't give into complacency. Fight it!
If you lose love you are going to lose life. Or if you LEAVE love you will LOSE life!
Do you have an attitude of teachability/humbility, willingness to grow vs. being indecisive? Cease the opportunity and COMMIT to it! When you "remember", it is INTENTIONAL thinking. Remember: how far you have fallen, when you fell, when something happened that stopped your fire from burning. Remember: what it used to be like. Emotionally, it will start coming back! Remembering will set you up for repentence. It will change your mind!

This message could be for anyone who has strayed away from God. This happened to me recently. I was preoccupied with everything going on in my life. Things that most people would consider to be "the drama of the reality of life" when really it is not. The gospel is truly "the drama of the reality of life". I realized that I had been living without God close in my life for far too long. Plus, throughout my life I have realized that God is always there when I need him most. With every struggle I have been through and prayed for help He has been there. He has protected people in my life who are very close to me. For everything he has done and sacraficed for me I feel awful for straying away for so long! I am happy that I have reconnected and I am sure there are others who have been in or currently are in a situation like mine was. Maybe this is a time for you to remember when you fell, or why you fell, and how you can get back with God!

Mind Over Body

Last night I stayed up late working on a poster project that I volunteered to complete for my work. (Chili's Grill & Bar) I like being creative and doing crafty projects! I had a lot going on yesterday so I put off starting the poster until around 2:30am. I am a libra and very indecisive at times, especially when I need to make thoughtful or tough decisions. So I finished the poster at 4:00am due to the time it took drawing out boxes of precise measurements. I was satisfied with the poster seeing as how tired I was while I was making it. I finally got to sleep at 4:30am and woke up four hours later to get ready for work. I brought the poster to my boss and he said something like, "Wow! I didn't expect you to do all this!" I was pleased to know my tired work got a wow!

I had one of my rare and not so better days at work since I didn't get my eight hours! When I got home I had time to talk with my boyfriend about my day and do some house chores, then it was time to go to the gym. The workout program I am currently on scheduled me for a rest day but I felt that I needed to do something, so I chose to do an hour of cardio. I started on the arc trainer and within the first four minutes I wanted to quit because I was so tired but I told myself I could do it and I knew I had to! I ended up burning 520 calories and going for 2.97 miles on a moderate resistance. Even with how exhausted my body was, my mind knew I could overcome it and push through a sweaty cardio session. I felt so good afterwards, knowing that I didn't let my exhausten beat my discipline for achieving my goals. However, if your sleep pattern is like this regularly I would recommend you getting plenty of rest before exercising!