October Beauty Empties

October #Beauty Empties

Ever since I posted this article about how I rarely I actually empty beauty products, I’ve started paying closer attention to those cosmetics I deem worthy of finishing. One thing I’ve noticed during my observations is I tend to consistently use (and use up) skin and hair care products; whereas I rarely empty makeup products. I’m more likely to toss those for lack of use or expiration than “hitting pan” as it were. This month is no exception. Here are my product empties and brief reviews for October (2016)…

Neutrogena® Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover

1. Neutrogena® Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover:

Claims – Neutrogena states this product has an “ultra-gentle dual phase formula (that) activates when shaken to remove all eye makeup — even waterproof mascara — without any greasy residue.” The company also promises “it is ophthalmologist tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers and oil free.”

My Results – I use this first, before dual-cleansing. I shake it well (it basically doesn’t work if you don’t) then apply it onto 2 cotton pads which I then apply to my eyes. I allow the saturated pads to sit on my eyes for about a minute to start to break down the makeup. Then I lightly rub the pads around my eyes to remove additional traces of makeup. Then I followup with a makeup removing oil cleanser to my whole face and a cream cleanser (usually CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser). One of the best things about this product is that it never causes burning or stinging to the eyes. Neutrogena also delivers on their promise that this product leaves no oily or greasy residue behind. Then again I follow it with double cleansing so any residue gets pretty well taken care of in that process.

Price – $5.99 – $7.99 (per Neutrogena’s website). This one is available almost everywhere. From Walmart and other major discount stores to national drugstore chains (Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc.) and even many grocery stores. ULTA sells 2 sizes (3.8 oz. and 5.5 oz.) priced at $5.99 and $7.99, respectively along with a Buy One / Get One 40% deal (at time of this writing).

One note about finding this product in stores – almost every retailer stocks this product along side Neutrogena’s makeup products, not with their skincare products. So if you’re having trouble locating it, check the makeup area.

Draw-backs – The primary complaint I have with this product is the same one I have with every other eye makeup remover I’ve tried – that is, it doesn’t immediately remove all eye makeup without rubbing and tugging. I rarely wear waterproof mascara but do you use waterproof liner on a regular. Though I don’t consider my eyes very sensitive, I notice some redness and swelling the next day if I don’t get all my eye makeup removed at night.

Ingredients – Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Poloxamer 182, Allantoin, Tripotassium EDTA, Benzalkonium Chloride Solution, Glycerin, Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Extract (Cucumis Sativus), Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate

L’ORÉAL Paris™ EverPure Blonde Brass Banisher System™

2. L’ORÉAL Paris EverPure Blonde Brass Banisher Shampoo & Conditioner:

Claims – L’ORÉAL promises this shampoo and conditioner will “boost your blond for fresh pure lustrous color,” and claims using both products together will “neutralize brassiness in just 1 use while deeply nourishing hair to restore hydration…and (help) you keep the color you love for up to 32 washes.”

My Results – Since going blond, I’ve tried SO many lavender, purple anti-brass toning shampoos and conditioners, and I really like these. First of all, the shampoo is sulfate-free so it doesn’t strip out my color which is important because getting my hair professionally foiled is NOT cheap! So obviously, I want to do everything I can to preserve it. There are other stronger purple toning shampoos on the market, Clairol Shimmer Lights comes to mind (works great but turns my hair into perfectly-toned brass-free straw). This one is gentle enough to avoid that overly dried out crispy result but it’s effective enough keep that dreaded yellow-orange tinge out of my hair.

Price – Price varies by vender. $5.97 each from Walmart. ULTA sells the shampoo and conditioner for $6.99 each and currently (at time of this writing) offers a Buy Two, Get One Free offer. Amazon sells the shampoo from $5.97 each. The conditioner is also available for various prices.

Draw-backs – My one complaint with the otherwise excellent pair of lavender toners is the difficulty I have getting the lids closed. For some reason, it’s nearly impossible for me to get the lids fully closed especially when the tubes are wet, I’m wet and my hands are covered in suds. So what ends up happening is that lavender-colored shampoo and conditioner leaks out onto my shower shelf, creating a mess and wasting product. While this is not an expensive product (especially when compared to salon brands) it’s still frustrating to waste product and it’s really annoying to discover a trail of purple soap dripping down the wall of my shower.

Ingredients (shampoo) – Water, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycol distearate, glycereth-26, decyl glucoside, fragrance, hydrogenated coconut acid, ppg-5-ceteth-20, dimethicone copolymer, polyquaternium-7, amodimethicone, polyquaternium-10, sodium isethionate, propylene glycol, peg- 55 propylene glycol oleate, carbomer, c11-15 pareth-7, benzoic acid, benzophenone-4, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, benzyl salicylate, laureth-9, glycerin, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl alcohol, linalool, trideceth-12, limonene, sodium benzoate, c12-13 pareth-23, c12-13 pareth-3, iris florentina root extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, ext. violet 2, red 33, sodium hydroxide.

Ingredients (conditioner) – Water, cetearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, isopropyl myristate, cetyl esters, fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, hicone, polyquaternium-37, mineral oil, sodium benzoate, amodimethicone, tocopherol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, peppermint leaf extract, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, citric acid, limonene, ppg-1 trideceth-6, linalool, butylphenyl methylpropional, rosemary leaf oil, citronellol, benzophenone-4, iris florentina root extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, ci 60730 / ext. violet 2, ci 17200 / red 33. f.i.l. # d168573/1.

Nature’s Bounty® OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS® Hair, Skin, & Nails Gummies with Biotin

3. Nature’s Bounty® OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS® Hair, Skin, & Nails Gummies with Biotin:

Claims – Nature’s Bounty® states these sugar+corn syrup-based gummies “provide you with the vital nutrients your body needs to support your natural beauty from within. Vitamin E and Vitamin C are antioxidants. Vitamin E contributes to skin health, and Vitamin C is involved in collagen production and formation, which forms the basis for vibrant skin.” 2 Gummies provide 15 mg. Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid); 15 IU Vitamin E (as dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate); 2,500 mcg. Biotin (as d-Biotin); along with 15 calories, 4 grams carbohydrate and 2 grams of sugar.

My Results – Like most women, I noticed increased lost of hair starting about 3 months postpartum. Sadly, I never experienced the increased thickness and luster I started taking this supplement in May as a replacement for my previous Biotin supplement. I wanted something that provided both Vitamin C and Biotin to complement my existing Collagen drink regimen (read more about the anti-aging power of collagen here) and these dummies seemed like a tasty option to try. Because I was pretty panicked about the amount of hair loss I was experiencing, I started taking these (2 dummies) twice per day. After about 2 months (roughly 3 jars of dummies) I started to notice a significant improvement in the thickness and condition of my hair. Now, during that same time I continued taking 1-2 collagen drinks each day so I’m certain the results were attributable to the combination of all the supplements more than any one on its own. But I definitely think these dummies have an impact so I continue taking them.

Price – These supplements are widely available sold everywhere from grocery stores to major discount retailers (Walmart, Target, etc.) to drugstore chains and online retailers. Price varies by vender. Vitacost offers the lowest online price (as of this writing) at $7.19 / 80 Gummie jar. CVS and Walgreens vary from around $8-$8.50 for the same sized jar with local stores often offering in-store coupons and discounts. You can usually find Nature’s Bounty® coupons in your local Sunday paper or coupon mailer.

Draw-backs – As I noted above, these gummies are designed to mimic gummy candies so the good-for-you vitamins and nutrients are contained in a sugar and corn syrup base. If that’s a problem for you – i.e. if you’re sensitive to sugar; if you need to avoid all sugar for health reasons or you’re actively doing the #Whole30 or similar sugar-free diet – then these supplements won’t work for you. I had to switch back to Vitamin C and Biotin tabs during our recent #SeptemberWhole30 but eagerly switched back to these on October 1st. They taste good and make taking vitamins a lot more enjoyable!

Ingredients (according to Nature’s Bounty website): Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dicalcium Phosphate, Grape Juice Color Concentrate, Gelatin, Modified Food Starch, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Natural Strawberry Flavor, Black Carrot Juice Color Concentrate, Maltodextrin, Fractionated Coconut Oil (Contains one or more of the following: Carnauba Wax, Beeswax), Silica.

Wisdom for the Day:
“In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.” ~Richard Baxter
Read more about the importance of unity here.

#Whole30 Round 2 Days 4-5

….Kill ALL the Things? No, But I Might Trade Our Shiba Inu for a Pepsi Maxx!

Are You Talking about Me? You MUST Be Talking about Me. I’m the Only Shiba Inu Here!

During our first Whole30, I relied heavily on the official #Whole30 Timeline 2.0 available on the Whole30 website. The timeline served as a sort of roadmap, reassuring me that I was more or less staying on course and that my struggles were normal, especially during the difficult days. This time is no different. The following is an excerpt from the official #Whole30 Timeline 2.0 for days 4-5.

“Days 4-5: Kill ALL the things! Day 4 dawns and you tentatively step out of bed, expecting to feel like you took a strike from Thor’s hammer in the temple. Instead, your head is surprisingly clear. Your limbs all feel functional. This could be a good day! You walk into the kitchen and as you’re greeted by the smiling face of your significant other you are suddenly overcome…with the desire to punch them in the face for smiling this early in the morning. Congratulations! You’ve made it to day 4…It’s probably because your brain is never very happy when you tell it that it CAN’T have something, and take it out of it’s habitual and accustomed comfort zone. An unhappy brain is a stressed brain, an anxious brain, a fearful brain. No to mention your hormones are desperately trying to keep up with your new food choices, your gut is trying to heal, you’ve had a headache for the last three days, and you REALLY MISS YOUR DIET COKE. So yeah, maybe we do know why this is happening now…”

In all honesty, I probably entered this second go-round a tad over-confident, and my recent pre-Whole30 diet hasn’t been as clean as I’ve been telling myself. As I’ve written previously, we’re prepping for our daughter’s first birthday party. And I’ve been using the upcoming celebration as an excuse to test out several new cookie recipes including my pretty Pink Paleo Macaroons and not-yet-published Paleo/Vegan Magic Cookie Bars recipe. Truth is, I probably ate cookies (plural, as in more than one) every single day in August. I’d also resumed the nasty habit of consuming 1-2 diet sodas daily, and boy am I paying for it now! My body is seriously craving sweets and caffeine. I’m suffering from major headaches, brain fog and irritability. Mercifully, this round is MUCH easier thanks to the recent Whole30 approval of Nut Pods Unsweetened Coffee Creamers!

Even Whole30 Mamas Need Caffeine!!!

I’m not homicidal. Thank goodness! But I am seriously lacking (my normal) patience for dealing with our dogs, especially our poor Shiba Inu, CJ. Poor CJ. He such a sweet boy…most of the time. He adores our baby girl. But sometimes that’s the problem. He’s constantly circling around her, especially now that she’s attempting to eat solid foods. He’s always underfoot as he forages around her highchair for her droppings.

Doggies circling like vultures

The little terrier, Brewster, is stealthy, and is the first to pounce on any baby food that hits the first. CJ moves slower and more deliberately, determined to pick up ay small pieces Brewster missed. But CJ gets himself stuck in the most unfortunate positions – like this one (which happened when he was nosing around after crumbs), leaving me to have to help him get “un-stuck.”
And CJ tends to bark repeatedly every time I get the baby down for her afternoon nap. So frustrating! I then find myself barking (shouting) back at him to “shut up, you’ll wake the baby,” which of course wakes her up immediately making me even more frustrated, mostly with myself for having an argument with a dog.

Luckily (for CJ’s sake), the Whole30 folks state that this phase doesn’t last. And, I’m doing my best to remind myself that I made it through these rough patches last time and the rewards are more than worth the discomfort. So, I’ll have another cup of Nut Pods-spiked coffee and look forward to some yummy (leftover) rotisserie chicken stir fry for dinner, one of my favorite recipe discoveries from our first Whole30.

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Stir Fry with Riced Cauliflower

Beauty Resource for the Day:
Anyone who’s read my posts knows by now I love Tati Westbrook, AKA “GlamLifeGuru.” Love. Her. Her most recent video is the perfect example of why. Unlike many YouTube gurus who tout the most expensive department store makeup products, Tati has created a new video tag titled “Nothing over $10,” the challenge being to create a beautiful full face of makeup look using only products under $10. Watch as she executes the challenge flawlessly and jot down the excellent and inexpensive products she uses:

Wisdom for the Day:
“Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” ~Ecclesiastes 7:8 (New Living Translation)
Read more here.

#Whole30 Round 2 Kickoff

Happy September & Happy #Whole30 Kickoff!

Immediately following completion of our first #Whole30 (May 1, 2016), Hubs and I agreed that we definitely wanted to do another round sometime this year. Not yet confident in our ability to adhere to the program rules over the food-centric Thanksgiving holiday, we decided September was our best bet for a successful Round 2. So off we go on our second Whole30 adventure!

During our first round, I relied heavily on the resources and downloads available at the Whole30 website. One resource I failed to mention during our first go-round was the #Whole30 Non-Scale Victory (#NSV) Checklist – available for download here. The NSV Checklist is a 2-page list of positive results (separate from actual pounds or kg. lost) achieved by Whole30 completers. I encourage you to check it out if you’ve never seen the NSV Checklist. Folks have reported some amazing achievements like “Whiter Teeth;” “Looking Younger;” “Longer, Stronger Nails;” and “Increased Libido.”

As a motivator, I reviewed my NSV Checklist results from our first round. Then, I made list of the #NSV items I hope to achieve this round. Here’s my list of benefits achieved during our April (2016) Whole30:
1. Less dimpled skin
2. Flatter stomach
3. Leaner overall appearance
4. Clothes fit better – this was huge!
As pictured below, I was (finally) able to fit into 2 pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans for the first time in a year!

Woohoo! Back in my fav jeans!!!
(excuse the messy bedroom and my unattractive socks)

5. Less bloating
5. Feeling more confident in my appearance
6. Fewer PMS symptoms
7. A more regular monthly cycle
8. Less stomach pain
9. Less gas
10. Reduction in food allergies (symptoms)
11. Improved blood sugar regulation
12. Less stressed
13. Fewer carb cravings
14. Improved body image
15. Improved self-confidence
16. Friends and family came to me seeking food and healthy lifestyle advice or healthy recipes
17. Eating to satiety
18. Listening to my body
19. No longer afraid of dietary fat (this was a BIG paradigm shift for me!)
20. No longer using food as a reward
21. More nutrition in my diet
22. Food no longer had unwanted “side effects” (similar to #11)
23. Energy levels more even
24. I no longer got cranky when I needed to eat
25. I needed less caffeine
26. I became more consistent with exercise
27. I discovered lots of new recipes (see list at bottom of post)
28. Our meal prep was more organized and efficient
29. Our healthy eating habits brought us closer as a family
30. People asked what I was doing differently (esp. how I lost the baby weight)
31. Feeling in control of food (not the other way around)

Wow! That’s a whole lotta benefits. Just typing them out makes me really excited to see what successes we’ll achieve this time. In keeping with Hubs’ recommendation‘ to set goals before undertaking any lifestyle changes, I’ve identified a few more potential results from the NSV Checklist I’d like to see happen this time. Here they are:
• More energy to play with our daughter (this is always my #1 goal as she’s always our #1 priority)
• Improved attention span
• Fewer ADHD symptoms
• Fall asleep more easily
• More energy to exercise – I’m hoping to add a walking regimen to my existing routine of MUTU + 45-60 min yoga/daily
• Be outside more
• Create and try new recipes
• No more under-eye circles
• Brighter eyes
• Clothes fit better – I still can’t fit into several pair of pre-pregnancy jeans.
• Looking younger
• Fewer seasonal allergies
• Less fatigue
• Practice mindful eating

Speaking of mindfulness and improved mental focus, I’m adding a goal not listed on the NSV Checklist. By then end of September, I want to be practicing EmWave for at least 15 minutes each day.

EmWave is a mental training product of the HeartMath company – available as an iPhone app, a stand-alone handheld device, or computer program teaches you to use “Balanced Breathing” to normalize your and balance out your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, thereby improving your focus and attention. If you’re unfamiliar with Emwave, check out their website for more information on the science and research behind this training, the benefits available from just a few minutes of practice each day.

Wisdom for the Day:
“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” ~Job 13:11 (New International Version)
Read more here.

Beauty Resource for the Day:
Ever wonder why all the beauty bloggers and social media makeup gurus have such huge beautiful eyes? Are they all just genetically gifted? Nope! They use special eye-tricking techniques to make their eyes appear larger. In this video the absolutely stunning Stephanie Lange shares her 8 best tricks for making eyes look bigger. It’s worth the less than 4 minutes of your time just to hear her adorable accent!

Be Sure to Check Out These #Whole30 Recipes from Daily Beauty Wisdom:
#Whole30 Creamy Spinach Stuffed Turkey or Pork Roulade
#Whole30 Veggie Puffs for Kids & Adults
Whole30-Compliant Sloppy Joes on Sweet Potato Toasts
Super Simple & Sumptuous Sweet Potatoes
Stupid Easy Paleo Cran-Cherry Sauce #WHOLE30 #Vegan #Raw
QUICK & EASY BEAUTIFYING PAPAYA SALAD #WHOLE30 #PALEO #VEGAN
Presto Peachy Lime Vinaigrette #WHOLE30-compliant #Vegan #Paleo #Raw
Split Second Strawberry Vinaigrette #WHOLE30 Compliant (#raw, #paleo & #vegan)
Fix-It-And-Forget-It: Simply Beautiful Southern Greens Crockpot #WHOLE30 Compliant
Quick & Easy Paleo Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing #WHOLE30 Compliant
Chicken Tri-Almandine Casserole
WHOLE30 Stuffed Zucchini 2 Ways
Easy Cheezy Chicken & Broccoli Soup with Crispy Potato Croutons

All In – Making a Lasting Commitment to the WHOLE30 Lifestyle

A few days ago, Hubs and I went grocery shopping. Nothing out of the ordinary. But as we were unloading our haul, which was especially heavy on the frozen meats and veggies, we realized there was no room in our freezers to accommodate our purchases. How could that be when I’d made the list myself based on items I knew we were out of? And, we’re blessed to have an extra refrigerator/freezer combo in our garage. So we should have tons of storage space, right? Hubs soon diagnosed the problem. Loads of assorted veggie burgers, patties and meat substitutes of all kinds were hiding at the back of each freezer, taking up valuable space.

For the next several minutes, we stood there holding bags of rapidly defrosting chicken, broccoli and green beans while I debated the pros and cons of tossing all my old vegan favorites. “But they taste so good,” I whined. “Remember I how loved the ‘crispy chick’n’ ones! Oh and here’s the 7-grain crispy tenders’ (by now, any current or former vegetarians out there know exactly which brand I’m referencing)! Those are my favorite! Remember how I loved them? They’re so expensive. I don’t wanna just throw away money,” I pleaded.

Hubs tried reasoning with me. “But Karen, remember how those things made you feel, how your stomach hurt all the time. You haven’t touched any soy in so long, and those breaded ones have grains all over them.”

Still I resisted. “But I used to love them,” I protested. “And you know how I hate throwing away food. It’s such a waste of money.” Then I came clean. “And, they taste so good. What if I wanna eat them again someday?” The crux of the matter – I was holding onto these foods knowing full well they were full of crazy chemicals; that they were loaded with artificial, processed ingredients; created in a lab somewhere by scientists to simulate real foods. But I hadn’t let them go because in the back of my mind I thought someday I might want to eat them again despite knowing how unhealthy they are. I wanted to keep my options open.

On hearing this, Hubs’ patience ran out. He grabbed a bag of faux meat and started reading the ingredients aloud. I think it was about when he reached “methylcellulose” or “cane sugar,” that he looked at me and asked “really? Is this really what you want to put into your body? Can’t you make something just as good with real foods?” He knows me so well. That was exactly the right button to push with me. Issue a challenge to my competitive nature, and I’m hooked. At that I promptly tossed all faux meat into the garbage and only looked back to take this pic.

Tossing out the artificial and making room for whole food freedom!

Plus Hubs made a valid point – why settle for less than the best? It reminded me of a story from the Bible (Numbers 11). The Children of Israel had been rescued by God from slavery in Egypt and were being led by Moses through the desert to the Promised Land. During their time in the desert of testing, some of the people started complaining about the food they “had” to eat (literally Manna from heaven). The complainers decided they would have been better off returning to enslavement in order to have the foods they previously ate in Egypt. The upshot of this affair is that the complainers were allowed to eat some of the foods they were craving but with disastrous consequences. Click here to read more.

Be clear. I’m not suggesting I would drop dead if I took one bite of my old “chick’n” tenders. But it is important that we make wise choices each day and with each meal, choices that bring life and health to our minds and bodies. Wise choices are those foods created by God (the kind of foods with only 1 single pronounceable ingredient on the ingredient list), not scientifically engineered products filled with chemicals created by man. Wise food choices are exactly the kinds of foods that comprise the WHOLE30 and Paleo plans. Incidentally, those same whole foods are the ones identified as best for beauty in this recent study. It is important to remember why we started on the WHOLE30 program – to feel better, more energetic, maybe lose some weight and reduce/eliminate other nagging health problems (in my case to lose baby weight and decrease life-long GI troubles). In the face of this truth and the freedom the program has offered, it hardly makes sense to go running back to enslavement to former foods.

N.B. I’m all for allowing yourself the occasional splurge. But I believe in those rare instances, the indulgence should be something truly exceptional and comprised of all whole foods, not pseudo foods created by chemists. And it probably shouldn’t come from a freezer bag. For more on this approach to healthy splurging, check out this fantastic article by Melissa Hartwig where she describes her “One Bite Rule.”

Incidentally, for a couple of real food recipes that deliciously replace those sad soy substitutes, click these links and thank me later:
Paleo Leap’s Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips
WHOLE30 Thanksgiving in a Meatball

Wishing you peace, wisdom and delicious whole food meals in the coming weeks!

Wisdom of the Day:
They will turn their backs on the truth and turn to myths.
II Timothy 4:4 (Common English Bible)
Read more here.

Resource of the Day:
From Immunity Foods 20 Easy & Tasty WHOLE30 Lunch Recipes
(PS: Recipe #16 will blow your mind!)

WHOLE30 Motivation – The 30 Best Foods for Beautiful Hair & Skin

Researchers at Healthgrove just released their comprehensive study identifying the top 30 foods for beautiful skin and hair. Not coincidentally (at least not to me), all but 3 of the foods on the list are WHOLE30-approved. And those 3 foods not approved for consumption during WHOLE30 (numbers 18, 22 and 25 noted with * on the list below) are legumes. There are NO grains, pseudo grains or dairy foods on the list. So if you’re struggling to find the motivation to start WHOLE30 or you’re having a hard time sticking to your WHOLE30, take some time and read this study, then have a good long look in the mirror. Ask yourself, “do I want thicker, shinier hair? Would I look better with clearer, brighter, younger-looking skin?” I’ll bet you’ll find renewed motivation to get with the WHOLE30 Program!

You can read the entire article, including how the study authors created the list, as well as complete nutritional information for each food, here.

I have provided the complete list of the top 30 foods below along with links to a few WHOLE30 recipes from Daily Beauty Wisdom and other sites. Enjoy!

1. Sweet Potatoes
2. Red Bell Pepper
3. Kale
4. Collard Greens
5. Papaya
6. Beat Greens
7. Butternut Squash
8. Spinach
9. Wild Rainbow Trout
10. Pacific Oysters
11. Swordfish
12. Bitter Melon
13. Pumpkin
14. Sockeye Salmon
15. Oranges
16. Carrots
17. Strawberries
18. Lima Beans*
19. Brussels Sprouts
20. Broccoli Spears
21. Red Grapefruit
22. Pea pods*
23. Lemons
24. Sunflower Seeds
25. Green Peas*
26. Almonds
27. Cranberry Juice
28. Steamed Clams
29. Zucchini
30. Pacific Halibut

Resource of the Day:
Speaking of beautiful skin, with the days getting warmer and the sun hotter and brighter, it’s time to re-evaluate your daily sunscreen. Check out this list of the 12 best sunscreens according to Total Beauty.com.

Wisdom of the Day
O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.
~Psalm 34:8 (Amplified Bible)
Read more here.

The Marvelous Magnificence of MUTU

My Results in Only 12 Weeks with MUTU

I’m a control freak. I admit it. Big changes and major life events tend to make me anxious. I generally try to cope by doing lots of research, making plans and taking steps to feel prepared, safe, like I have a sense of control over what’s happening. So when I got pregnant, I spent a lot of time researching various health issues that may affect pregnant women. Early in my first trimester, I stumbled upon a condition called Diastasis Recti (DR) and was fascinated. It was like I finally had an answer for why so many women in my family had what they affectionately referred to as “mummy tummys” despite being relatively thin after childbirth. My own mother always carried a bubble of bloat just below her waist despite dropping to only 97 pounds after I was born. She always said it was because she never did any ab exercises. I assumed she was correct and swore it would never happen to me.

I became obsessed with avoiding DR. When I read that doing crunches later into pregnancy could cause my abdominal muscles to separate and create the very condition I desperately wanted to avoid, I stopped crunching cold turkey. I insisted on getting out of bed sideways each and every time (even in the middle of the night). I fanatically avoided any movement that would strain my abdominals. I used supportive belly bands while exercising. I counted calories throughout my pregnancy so as not to gain too much weight (because I’d read that contributed to post-pregnancy belly bulge). I drank at least a gallon of pure, filtered water every day and gave up anything that might lead to bloat like dairy or diet sodas. I took tons of supplements. By my third trimester, I had a daily workout routine of at least 300 squats (guaranteed to make labor a breeze according to multiple websites) and walking at least 5 miles. I scoured the internet for “the best” postpartum compression girdle and had that bad boy delivered and packed in my hospital bag weeks before my due date. Yep, I had it all under control…that is until I went into labor.

When the Labor & Delivery began monitoring our daughter, they estimated her size as between 8.5 and 10 pounds. I knew at that point that I was not going to have the easy breezy labor I’d planned for (I’m a small person with narrow hips not designed to push out a large baby). I’ll spare you the details of my labor. In summary I was in labor for about 20 hours after my water broke. I pushed for about 2 hours. And though I dilated fully, my daughter just never “arrived.” Her head was stuck, and I needed an emergency C-Section. There were several moments during that 20 hours where I remember saying to the doctor, “just go get her (e.g. do the C Section now)” because I was concerned about my daughter’s safety and all my planning and vanity ceased to matter. When they wheeled me in for the surgery, I remember thinking, “I’m so glad we are doing this!” Ironically, when the doctor cut me open he also pulled my abdominal muscles apart just like you’d pull open a pair of curtains. He did exactly what I’d tried to avoid all those months, and I ended up with a great big split in my abdominals. And I’m happy he did it because I have a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Of course, I was left with not only bulging abdominals but a big surgical incision so I wasn’t even able to use the expensive compression girdles I’d purchased. Isn’t it funny how we think we are planning our steps, but God determines the ways we truly will go (Proverbs 16:9)?

Anyway, after about 2 months of recovery from major surgery and the even bigger life adjustment of having a newborn, I got the go-ahead from my doc to begin some physical activity. So I began searching for a program to rehab from DR and a C Section, and I found several articles recommending the MUTU system. After more research, I decided MUTU would be the best program for me, and Hubs generously offered to purchase for me as a Christmas gift. I started the program at 3 months postpartum and have posted my BEFORE and AFTER pics below. The results are really incredible. I am sharing my story because DR affects more that 65% of all mamas, and it is incredibly frustrating and may include some very problematic other symptoms. But recovery is possible even if your children are 5, 10 even 15 years old. Also, I think it’s important for us all to remember that as humans we can only control so much in life but there is comfort and peace in knowing the God who is in control of everything and in trusting that He has a good and perfect plan for each one of us (Jeremiah 29:11).

I hope my story and pictures provide you with encouragement. I have also included the direct link to the MUTU online store below a couple more of my before & after pictures so you can directly access this awesome resource, my fellow Pretty Mommies. I pray for peace, health and joy for each of you all!

Thought for the Day:
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.
~James 4:13-16 (NLT)
Read more here.

Resource of the Day:

The Marvelous Magnificence of MUTU

My Results in Only 12 Weeks with MUTU

Resource of the Day:

WHOLE30 Day #8 – One Week Down!!!

Well, we’ve completed a full week of our WHOLE30 journey. Seven days down and 23 more to go. As I pause to take stock and savor this accomplishment, I am struck by one overwhelming realization – I am completely and totally exhausted. I mean I’m tired like down into my bones. I’m so tired sometimes it feels like extra work to sit in the chair and breathe.

My primary job every day is taking care of our nearly 6-month old baby, cook and take care of the home, etc. I’m also blessed to have the help of my mother who lives with us. Her assistance is especially wonderful these days with my energy waning. I find myself craving a nap every day and trying to power through with alternate nostril breathing and coffee. It takes all the strength I’ve got to complete my daily yoga sessions, and I seem be more sore afterwards. Luckily, I’m still able to do my MUTU Core Exercises every day which is extremely important to me because I’ve seen such amazing results in reversing my diastase recti (AKA the “mummy tummy”) I developed during my pregnancy.

I can’t imagine how Hubs is managing his work load. I am grateful for his attitude. He continues to encourage me through the process and reminds me that according to the WHOLE30 authors, this fatigue has arrived right on scheduled and is expected part of the 30-day timeline.

Wisdom for the Day:
Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
~Psalm 54:4 (NASB)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Day #2 – Busted!

So our WHOLE30 adventure continues. I’m embarrassed to admit that it only took 2 days to reveal some rather ugly aspects of my character. I woke up to the baby crying and fantasies of chemical-laced coffee creamer and artificial sweetener. So I “generously” offered to let Hubs sleep in while I got up to take care of our baby. Even as I prepped her bottle, I knew what I was going to do and planned to very quietly retrieve the sweeteners out of the corner of the pantry where I’d hidden them just days before.

A few minutes later, Baby Girl changed, fed, burped and happy, I sprung into action. I brewed up my coffee and stirred in that delicious white “creamer” powder full of mystery and unpronounceable chemicals. Yum! I paused. “Hmm, better at least try to use fewer packets of sweetener. I’ll go with half.” I then experienced momentary guilt for cheating on our commitment, but I tell myself Hubs will understand. Didn’t he describe black coffee with no creamer and no sweetener as “like drinking a cup of fresh brewed hatred”? Yeah, he’d understand. Besides, he won’t know.

I’d just sat and taken my first sip when Hubs came out of the bedroom. He took one look at my cup and launched into a lecture about all the reasons we chose to do the WHOLE30; how we want to be healthier for our daughter; how the current discomfort is only temporary and will result in long term benefits. He reminded me of all the things we had discussed before we decided to take this journey. And I felt guilty. But I also felt uncertain. Perhaps I was never really committed to this process; otherwise I would not have kept those items so readily accessible. This reminded me of the scripture below. As a result of this lesson, I’ve had to rethink my commitment. I’ve also realized that we need to be willing to totally dispense with those items or habits we wish to get rid of. It’s not enough to kind of commit to stopping while still permitting easy access to those things, while still keeping them around. Too bad for me it took a little shaming to learn that lesson.

“…and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
~Romans 13:14 (NASB)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Meal of the Day (dinner)
Simple Roasted Chicken with Caribbean Roasted Root Veggies & Salad

Recommended Resources:
Functional Dad
MUTU System to Lose Your Mummy Tummy

WHOLE30 Day#1 – What Was I Thinking?

It’s 7:30 on a Friday, and I’m not happy. I have a splitting headache, a pretty wicked case of PMS (or whatever it’s called when your period has actually started) as well as a really weird taste in my mouth, and I’m not all that interested in dinner.

Ordinarily, this is my favorite day of the week. Hubs comes home early from work and helps with baby care. We have “breakfast for dinner,” and we watch a movie. The weekend stretches out before us with the promise of extra sleep and free time as a family. But tonight it’s different because Hubs and I have undertaken the WHOLE30 challenge for the month of April 2016. Neither one of us is in a very good mood, and neither one of us is terribly excited about breakfast for dinner without buttery toast with jelly or pancakes. We’re both having cravings. Hubs is seriously craving sugar. I’m seriously craving artificial sweeteners which I’ll admit to having consumed in ever-increasing quantities over the years – sprinkling those little packets over everything from coffee to fruit to salad (Don’t judge! A little Stevia mixed with dijon makes a mighty fine low-cal honey mustard dressing, but I digress). I’m also yearning for my beloved sugar-free “tropical” flavored popsicles with their neon (artificial) colors and bizarrely satisfying chemically concocted tartness.

As I sit here, pondering my suffering and feeling terribly sorry for myself I happen to glance at my daughter happily playing beside me in her little infant chair. She giggles spontaneously as she tosses her beloved butterfly toy and it makes a noise that delights her. Suddenly, I am reminded by my daughter’s laughter as to why we committed to the WHOLE30, what we were thinking in the first place. We wanted to invest 30 days of effort and discomfort in order to feel better in the long run, in order to build ourselves up and equip ourselves for the long haul of parents. That’s my motivation. That is my intention. I want to be a healthier, more energetic mother. I am willing to do without some things for 30 days. I am willing to do the work to prune away the bad habits and unhealthy junk that I’ve accumulated in order to become a better mom in the long term.

The wise woman builds her house. But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
~ Proverbs 14:1 (NASB)
Read more here.

For more information on the WHOLE30 plan, check out this link: The WHOLE30

Recommended Resource:
Daily Audio Bible

Daily Beauty Wisdom

Walk in wisdom : grow in beauty: live in love

Health & Wellness

October Beauty Empties

#Whole30 Round 2 Days 4-5

#Whole30 Round 2 Kickoff

All In – Making a Lasting Commitment to the WHOLE30 Lifestyle

WHOLE30 Motivation – The 30 Best Foods for Beautiful Hair & Skin

The Marvelous Magnificence of MUTU

The Marvelous Magnificence of MUTU

WHOLE30 Day #8 – One Week Down!!!

WHOLE30 Day #2 – Busted!

WHOLE30 Day#1 – What Was I Thinking?