Shampoo

My hair is really picky. It only likes a few different shampoos.  Pert Plus, and Herbal Essance.  If I use antthing but those my hair will get really gunky and I can barely comb it.  So, I'm not goiing to lie but when Maple Hollistics offered to send me a free sample of their Tea Tree shampoo.  I was worried that my hair wasn't going to like it.  I was afraid that I was going to not really be able to review it due to that.

BUT......it didn't.  This shampoo was great!  It made my hair feel smooth and shiny.  Tea tree oil  "Promotes healthy hair growth, Can slow hair loss, shedding, and thinning hair, Helps prevent flaking and dandruff, Soothes irritated scalps, eradicates lice, Leaves hair and scalp rejuvenated and fresh."  I really enjoyed the scent because it was very earthy. {Not gonna lie, it smelled like a tree and that's not a bad thing for me}  It left my hair really soft and shiny.  My scalp felt nice.  I will definately be buying this again when my bottle runs out.  

Click the links below to head over to their website or Facebook page.



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I'm Not A Crossfitter but......

I'm not a Crossfitter but, I enjoy doing Crossfit. I enjoy the layout of a Crossfit workout.  It's intense and normally fairly quick.

I will often design my own Crossfit-esque workouts for my clients or I will find a good total body WOD on BoxRox.com and do it on Saturday when I feel like my other workouts haven't been enough that week.  

Don't get upset with me that I make up for crappy weeks.  There are alot of reasons why your workout can suck.

*Illness
*Injury
*Lack of sleep
*Stress at work or home

And sometimes I JUST DON'T WANNA BE THERE SO I SLACK OFF 

This past week was a little off.  Saturday I designed my own workout and it made me feel like I redeemed myself.

This took me about 1 hour and 15 minutes to do.  I'm really slow at running.  Give it a try and let me know how you did.  Was your time better than mine?  I bet it was!

I'm a Ballerina!

Isn't Mo pretty?

Little known fact about me:  I'm dance obsessed.  I still have a tiny part {okay, a big part shoved into a tiny space}, that dreams of becoming a Rockette.

Honestly, I think we all have some "silly" dream that we envision coming true, even if we don't chase it.  For me, obviously, that dream is to dance.

I danced for almost 10 years when I was growing up.  I did ballet, tap, jazz, and acro.  I picked it back up when Kaylee was 4.  I did ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz.  

When one of the teachers at Sunny and Mo's dance studio told me that they were going to start an adult ballet class I jumped on it.  From 5:30-6:30 on Tuesdays you can no find me at the dance studio.  Ballet for adults is not as strict as ballet for the younger kids.  Leotards and tights are optional.  Instead, you are allowed to wear whatever you can move comfortably in.  I normally wear leggings and a tank top {even though, there's a small part of me that wouldn't mind slipping into the traditional ballerina uniform.}

You don't have to be dance obsessed, or have danced when you were a kid to enjoy the benefits of ballet, or any style of dance for that matter.  

Health benefits

• Boosts memory -- May help prevent you from developing dementia
• Improve flexibility
• Relieve stress
• Helps get rid of depression -- Studies have shown that it reduces depression and increases vitality
• Improves heart health
• Weight loss
• Better balance
• Improves  flexibility, balance, agility and coordination
• Strengthen and tone core muscles
• Engages all muscles of the lower body, abs, hips, quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and even your feet

The benefits for children aren't much different from adults.  I have listed them below.  

Benefits in younger children

• They learn to follow instructions;
• They gain a sense of discipline through learning new positions and steps;
• They learn co-ordination, balance and how to control their bodies in motion;
• They are active and getting daily exercise;
• They become comfortable performing before groups;

Benefits in older children

• They develop long, lean and strong muscles from the practice of ballet
• They gain a sense of self-confidence and pride in their bodies and what they can accomplish
• They learn how to work to get what they want out of their performance
• The skills learned in ballet are useful for other forms of dancing like tap or jazz if they want to take that up later
• They learn about proper nutrition to keep their bodies in shape so they can dance

Are you a dancer?  Did you dance in the past?  What is your "silly" dream?  Let me know!

Fight the Bloat

Over the past couple weeks I've watched my waistline expand.  It was really starting to depress me.  I ran down every single possibility and tried to reverse it.

Too much snacking?  I stopped munching as much
Too many carbs?  I cut out some of my complex carbs.
Is it the stress?  I tried to relax more.
Not enough exercise?  I pushed myself a bit harder at the gym.
Not enough water?  I drank more water.

NOTHING worked!!!  As I was about to sit down to lunch and admit defeat, it hit me.  The past couple weeks during every meal I've been covering my food it sriracha.  Sriracha, a bottle of yummy, delicious, dietary destruction.  Sriracha has 80 mg {or 3% of your RDV} of sodium in 1 teaspoon.  I have probably been using ATLEAST 3 times that at each meal.  So, let's do some quick math.

So, every day I was getting 1200 mg of added sodium.  45% of my daily value from the sriracha!  45% might not sound like alot but, a) I normally don't add salt to anything, and b) it's 45% on top of the sodium naturally found in the food I eat.  

What?  Food has sodium??  Yes.  Here's a few examples:  
Almond milk -- 160 mg (7%)
Skim Milk -- 125 mg (5%)
Apples -- 2 mg of sodium (0%)
Celery -- 32 mg (1%)

Sodium is actually an element.  It's abbreviated Na on the periodic table and it's atomic number is 11.  Your body actually can't function without sodium.  According to Medline Plus (Link) "The body uses sodium to control blood pressure and blood volume. Sodium is also needed for your muscles and nerves to work properly."  You need a proper balance of sodium in your diet.  Just like everything else, too much is bad and too little is bad.  

There are health risks involved with long-term high sodium levels.  

• Headaches
• Bloating
• Kidney Disease
• Stomach Cancer
• Heart Failure
• Stroke 
• High Blood Pressure

Luckily it's easy to reduce your sodium levels.

1. Use fresh meat, fruits and vegetables instead of packaged - Packaged meat (especially bacon and ham), and canned fruits and vegetables are processed with sodium.  
2. Buy "fresh frozen" vegetables - Don't use the ones that have added seasonings or sauces.
3. Compare brands - Not all foods are made the same.  Different brands have different sodium contents.  Check and find the one with the lowest.
4. Use salt-free seasonings - Mrs. Dash has a wide variety of spice blends.  Also, get the spices that don't have sodium in the ingredients 
5. Get in the kitchen - Whenever possible make dishes from scratch instead of using packaged or pre-made varieties.  

Once you lower your sodium levels you can possibly see improvements in about a week.  

Warning:  Eating too much sodium isn't good for your health but, eating too little can be harmful too.  It is very rare for someone to suffer from a sodium deficiency (also known as Hyponatremia).  If you cut back on salt you still need to make sure to get your recommended daily value.  

In conclusion, PUT DOWN THE SALT SHAKER!  Get creative with your seasonings.  Save your health!  

What's your relationship with sodium? Do you salt everything or nothing?

Things I Love Thursday August 8th

Wow!  This week has been busy!  Since we got home from South Carolina on Sunday our days have been packed with stuff!  Mo went back to cheer 3 days a week, I did all the back to school supply shopping {$200, not including clothes!}, and I registered Sunny for dance.  We still need to shop for uniforms, school shoes and I have to get Sunny new dance stuff before the 18th.  

I have made a million shopping lists and a bunch of to-do lists recently.  My memory is so bad!  If I was to rely on it I'd forget almost everything.  I make a monthly menu so I don't forget what we're going to eat each week, I have a calendar with all my blog post topics for the month, it's crazy!  The one thing I never forget is.... 

But I do have to admit, sometimes I'll say "this will be great for my Things I Love Thursday post!" but, if I don't write it down I will end up blanking when I actually write my post.

Real Food
Remember on Friday I talked about how I was living on protein shakes because my stomach would get extremely nauseous if I ate anything else?  Well, I'm happy to say that it was all fixed on Sunday.  On the drive home I got a salad from Subway {before then my stomach would start turning at the thought of a salad}, and I've been able to eat normal since then {well, as normal as a bikini prep diet will let me LOL}

Florida
I've traveled to Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina the past few years and every time I leave Florida I come back with a deeper appreciation for it.

Chia Seeds
I bought some yesterday in order to add some fat to my diet.  {You need to eat fat to build muscle.}  They are really good.  They taste alot like poppy seeds and they are very versitile.  You can use them as an egg substitute, use them in desserts and in savory dishes.  One serving is 3 tablespoons (that's alot!) and it has 12 grams of fat (most of which are heart healthy), 12 grams of carbs, 11 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of protein.  If you soak 3 tablespoons of them in liquid they will expand to almost 3/4 cups!  There are other reasons to eat them.

1. They are high in antioxidents
2. Most of the carbs in them are fiber
3. They are high in quality protein
4. They are high in Omega-3s
5. They can lower the risk of heart disease
6. They can help you lose weight\
7. Lower the risk of diabetes and can help with diabetes symptoms

You should seriously get some to try!  

Okay, I've told you the things I love this week.  Have you found anything that you really love this week?

Are You Peelin' the Love??

Hey y'all!  Have I ever told you what my favorite fruit is?  No?  It's the banana.  Before I started prepping I ate a banana every day.  Sometimes I ate 2.  I love everything that I've ever tasted that's made with bananas.  Banana Bread, banana sandwiches, banana in my oatmeal, banana ice cream, banana everything! 

Did you know that bananas are super healthy?

• They help regulate and/or lower blood pressure
• Studies have shown that kids who eat a banana a day are 34% less likely to develop asthma
• Bananas can help reduce the risk of childhood leukemia and they are associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer
• They support heat health and can help reduce a person's risk of cardiovascular disease
• They help reduce the risk of stroke, muscle loss, and preserve bone density and aid memory
• Lowers blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetics and improve blood sugar, insulin and lipids in Type 2 diabetics
• Can be used to treat diarrhea

When I was contacted by Dole to be a Blog Ambassador for their Peel the Love Tour I was so excited.    What is Peel the Love?  It's a year long Dole campaign that celebrates the fun, irreverence, and whimsical side of bananas.  They are doing a Peel the Love "Banana Cabana" Tour that is traveling coast-to-coast.  It's going to cover 26 cities and luckily Jacksonville is one of them!

Here's the dates that they will be at the Winn-Dixies in the Jacksonville area. 

7/20 – Winn-Dixie (96076 Lofton Square Ct., Yulee, FL) – 10am-1pm

7/20 – Winn-Dixie (947 Amelia Plaza, Fernandina Beach, FL) – 3-6pm

7/21 – Winn-Dixie (450078 SR 200, Callahan, FL) – 11am-2pm

7/24 – Winn-Dixie (1545 County Rd. 220, Orange Park, FL) – 10am-1pm

7/24 – Winn-Dixie (290 Solana Rd., Ponte Vedra, FL) – 3-6pm

7/25 – Winn-Dixie (703 Chaffee Rd., Jacksonville, FL) – 10am-1pm

7/25 – Winn-Dixie (5647 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL) – 3-6pm

Not in the Jacksonville area?  Click HERE to find out when the Peel the Love "Banana Cabana" Tour will be coming to a city near you!

Each week I still have a banana on my cheat day.  Here's one of my favorite banana desserts.  I even made this for myself for dessert on vacation!

I put mine over Greek yogurt and added some raspberries.  Pure bliss!

Grilled Peanut Butter Banana

Ingredients
1 banana
1 T PB2 mixed with .5 T water
1-2 T sugar free maple syrup
Cinnamon

Directions

1. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with pan spray
2. Slice your banana in half lengthwise and lay on the foil
3. Spread the PB2 on one half, sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle half of the syrup
4. Put the two halves back together, drizzle with the other half of the syrup, and wrap the tinfoil tightly around the banana
5. Place on the grill for 10-15 minutes until the banana is warm, soft and brown.
6. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before eating

{It can also be done in a 350 degree oven for 15-25 minutes}

Option 2:  

Directions

1. Wrap whole banana in sprayed tinfoil
2. Grill for 10-15 minutes
3. When it's cool enough to handle {but still warm} mush it with a fork
4. Lay out 8 graham cracker halves
5. Spread PB2 on 4 halves, and top with a chocolate square.  
6. On the other 4 halves spread a thick layer of the warm banana mush.  
7. Put a PB2 cracker and a banana cracker together

Voila!  A Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana S'more!  Perfect, healthy camping dessert!

What's your favorite banana recipe?  Are y'all going to join me at Winn-Dixie???