Wellness Wednesday (V.6): Dr. Oz, The Good Life [Premiere Issue]

I have been obsessed with Dr. Oz via radio interviews as of late promoting his new magazine, The Good Life. I wasn’t able to get my hands on the hard copy, but I bought the digital version on my iPad ($3.99) and I am in love. I decided I’d highlight some of my favorite excerpts from the premiere issue.

The magazine, like any other magazine, is broken down into categories: ‘Well Informed,’ ‘Health & Happiness,’ ‘The Good Life Report,’ ‘Mind & Mood,’ ‘Food & Recipes,’ Love/Family/Friends,’ ‘Home/Work/Money.’ ‘Your Best Body,’ and ‘Dr. Oz’s RX For…’

I personally have been on the hunt for recipes for my overflowing yet never used recipe book along with basic tips that I know I can apply now without thinking will they really work. For me it’s all about being consistent and that’s the hardest thing for me aside from actually starting some type of plan/routine.

My skin has been a little crazy and I’m currently using a generic blackhead facial scrub with a generic moisturizer which work fine I just feel that I know nothing about my skin. In the magazine it gave points on what to look for in a moisturizer as well as top picks for day and night depending on what type of skin you have.

A good one will include ingredients from three categories: humectants, emollients, and occlusives.

Karyn Grossman, M.D. (dermatologist)

I am one to walk in the store and if it says moisturizer I check the price, see if there’s a cheaper alternative, typically buy the cheaper alternative as a ‘trial and error,’ yet I never read the back to see exactly what I’m applying to food. This goes for a lot of things I (and others) purchase. It’s easy to get blindsided by the price instead of looking at the contents of the product.

To understand what to look for I first have to figure out what the hell humectants, emollients, and occlusives are. Thank goodness the article broke it down. In a nutshell humectants absorb (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, panthenol, & honey), emollients fill in the dry spots (lauric acid, linoleic acid, glyceryl stereate, jojoba oil, coconut oil, collagen, & cetearyl & stearyl alcohol, and occlusives form a protective barrier for the skin (lanolin, paraffin, beeswax, shea butter, nut oils, squalene & silicones).

I personally stay away from shea butter products because they don’t react well with my skin as well as nut oils. The moisturizer I’m currently using is Target Up & Up, Moisturizing Cream (Sensitive Skin) which is to be compared to Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. It contains the 3 categories and I can kick myself for picking something that has nut oils’ but in the time that I’ve used it my face hasn’t reacted to it so I guess it’s ok.

I have a mixture of dry, oily (especially during summer), and sensitive year round putting me in a combination category.

Go with formulas designed for combination or all skin types like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and Elizabeth Arden Visible inference Skin Balancing Night Cream.

Both of those products are over $20 and of course I will be on the hunt for a cheaper alternative the next time I buy a moisturizer.

Aside from the skincare article I really can’t wait to try out recipes, Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage & Broccolini and Turkey & Vegetable Bolognese.

Dr. Oz, The Good Life, is available on newsstands & digitally and for $15 you can sign up for a year subscription here. Stay tuned for upcoming Wellness Wednesdays where I’ll share more of Dr. Oz’s tips.

SPICY SATURDAY (V.5) — Target Haul

I’ve been really good at just going in Target for what I NEED instead of being sidetracked by things I WANT! Well, this shopping trip was a little bit of NEED and WANT so I guess that justifies my purchases.

I first went in to get my basic ‘snacks.’ I’ve been eating oatmeal every morning and I love Target‘s, Market Pantry, Apples & Cinnamon. I also picked up some fruit snacks and fruit bars to toss in my lunch bag for the week as well.

Before I picked up all those ‘essentials’ I headed to the dollar section and as I was browsing I came across sticky notes. I picked up basically all they had since they were only $1 and I can’t wait to use some in my planner (expect a review soon) and to just add the rest to my ‘stationary collection.’ I’m a sucker for stationary!

Lastly I saw this lunch pack. It’s by the Zak Designs brand and I couldn’t resist. I’m a big kid at heart so buying this was no problem. It was a regular $8.99, but I got it on sale for $7.34. The 7 piece set features 3 compartments and a ice pack. I know there’s more ‘adult’ versions of this product, but I love the one I got and it’ll add a smile to my day!

Wellness Wednesday (V.5): My Impromptu Workout

This week has been great because I’ve been able to have time on my hands to create new content for the blog that I’m excited to share and have been sharing. Thanks for all the feedback. There’s just been one big icy, messy, problem: SNOW! I have been in and out of work due to the weather and although I’m happy to have some time to myself, I’m TIRED of shoveling snow.

The first storm hit Monday morning. Literally hours after the Super Bowl ended and the stadium was clear, hear came storm MAXIMUS! That left about 6 inches or so and I had to shovel that. The snow was light, but between cleaning off two cars, shoveling a drive way & sidewalk, cleaning my porch and laying out ice, I was TIRED.  Mind you there’s stills snow on the ground from a storm that happened nearly two weeks ago.

If that wasn’t enough not even two days later we’re hit with NIKA! This storm on top of the snow that’s already on the grown came with ICE making the snow heavy and harder to shovel. Plus the people that plow my street plowed alright and I went out this morning with about 6 inches of snow blocking my driveway. So it was the process just like Monday except this took way longer because of the weight of the snow.

I don’t mind shoveling and getting a snowblower is on my to-do list, but for now its the traditional shovel and brush for my car. Here are my tips for shoveling snow.

• Bundle up (the snow is wet if you’re wet and go in and out you get sick). I usually have on leggings, sweatpants, a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie, and THEN I put on my coat, scarf and gloves being sure my neck and back are covered for when the snow randomly falls from trees.
• Wear boots that do not go past your calf. Wearing other boots might be contracting when you have to bend to pick up the snow. I wear my Timbs with two pairs of socks and I’m just fine.
• Shovel the snow as soon as it hits the ground. Yes, I know it might be a waste if more snow is coming down, but it’s better to do it while its freshly fallen this way it’s softer and easier to pick up. Also it’d be easier to pick up 3 inches here and 3 inches there then to pick it up all at once.
• SHOVEL THE SNOW BENDING YOUR KNEES! You don’t want to hurt your back or cause a strain on your chest. Also all that shoveling can lead to heart attacks so BE CAREFUL!
• Stay hydrated. It can be tiring moving snow and I know that I am always thirsty. Don’t feel like you can’t take break. If that means you have to go in and out a couple times then so be it.

Those are my personal tips on shoveling snow. For more of an ‘expert’ opinion click here.

Surprisingly I’m not sore from shoveling snow, but I’m so over it. It was a good workout and I got plenty of arm and cardio work in over the last couple days. One upside to the snow is the beautiful sight outside. It’s gorgeous.

There’s supposed to be ANOTHER storm hitting this weekend between Saturday-Monday. The reports are saying anywhere from 3-30+ inches. Yeah, I’m looking forward to none at all, but I’d rather have 3 then any more than that.

ALSO if you are traveling in snow be sure to have some essentials in your trunk just in case: water, flashlight, blanket, brush/shovel (for snow), kitty litter [Heres a great list here]. Kitty litter is GREAT for traction if you get stuck. It’s better to use that and additionally shovel snow (if that’s what you’re stuck in) than to press the gas and burn the rubber on your tires. I know this from experience after getting caught in the mud n my backyard. Having a blanket and water and maybe a snack or something is good. You never know what could happen and with all the snow, ice, salt, etc. on the roads it messes up your car. You don’t expect it to happen, but it’s better to expect the unexpected and be prepared.

Wellness Wednesday (V.4): My ‘Semi-Healthy’ Snacks

It’s another week and it might seem weird that I do my fitness/healthy living posts in the middle of the week, but hey that’s what it is.

It’s been just another week for me. Not much has changed, but I am getting in the habit of getting on some type of sleeping schedule. I must be to sleep no later than 1am and I can get up with no problems at 6:30am. If I go to sleep past 2am I lay in the bed until nearly 8am and that throws me off.

This morning was one of those mornings. I didn’t fall asleep until nearly 2:30am and I didn’t get out he house until 8:15am. Staying up that late was a mistake and I feel so much better and less grumpy getting at least 6 hours of sleep.

I’ve gotten my sleeping pattern down and my eating habits are getting there.

 

Insta Beauty Hall

 

There’s been some new lippies on my list that I’ve been wanting to try out especially the Balm Stains. I will be doing a review on all products shown above over the course of the next few weeks.

What have you been on the hunt for recently?

 

Grocery Shopping Woes

I went to get ‘lunch’ for the rest of the week last night and I was on a mission to get something healthy, but along the way I got sidetracked. Target is really not the best place for me to do my entire grocery shopping. Although it’s one of my favorite stores, I do need to visit my local grocery store / markets more. I ended up buying two Naked juices which were on sale for 2/$5. I got a 12 pack of Del Monte fruit cups to eat for breakfast and a snack. They were on sale as well for a little over $5. I also picked up a dozen of ‘Simply Balance’ eggs. I’ve never tried organic eggs before so I wanted to give them a try. For another snack I picked up Annie’s, Snack Mix, and for lunch I snagged some of the ‘processed’ dinners (the $2/each sale got me). I know that this isn’t the best grocery trip and future ones will get better. I just needed something other than lunch meat for the next 3 days. Don’t mind the candy on top of the strawberries. Darn the goodies at the register. Hope to have better luck next time.

Wellness Wednesday (V.1)

So I used to have a membership when I first started college which was back in the winter of 2010. I signed up with a friend and the membership was about $10 + tax a month. It was never a plan to go every day. It was always a plan to go 2 to 3 times a week, max! We stuck to that plan, fell off, and miraculously got back on. As time went on we stopped going all together and the memberships were cancelled.

Here I am in that same situation again where I have friends going to the gym and me wanting to have some motivation and seeking that in friends. Your friends can’t make you go to the gym. Your friends can’t make you do anything you don’t want to, period.

The biggest problem of going to the gym was being incredibly hungry afterwards. I would go grocery shopping after the gym or stop at Wendy’s with the theory, ‘I’ll work it off tomorrow.’ Well that didn’t work either.

I have become a comfort eater with all of my weight going to my stomach and it’s not healthy for me and prevents me from wearing certain clothes. I like to say I ‘like’ and ‘want’ for my clothes to be baggy/oversized and in some instances I do. If it’s a loose bottom then a fitted top; loose top, fitted bottom. It’s gotten to a point where I kept telling and keep telling myself it’ll happen. Don’t worry it’ll go away when it goes away just wear something bigger to hide it.

Well I’m really, REALLY trying to turn a new leaf here physically and mentally. I want to keep happy thoughts and keep myself busy. stress and boredom leads to one main problem for me: comfort eating. No I’m not obese, but I seek comfort in junk food and soda (Coca-Cola preferably).

I’m going to do 30 minutes of cardio if nothing else for 5 days out of the week, so Monday to Thursday and then next week I will begin to input strength training. Boy I hate how weak I am.

This week I’ll be breaking out my dance games and doing my 30 minutes of cardio, at least. I have to start somewhere.

Next step is my eating habits. Set plans don’t work for me such as the gym so I don’t see myself joining another one or something like ‘Weight Watchers’ to help with my eating.

I’ve recently done a post on ‘Commitment’ and I’m not going to sign up for either of those knowing I’m not in the mood or feel like making the time to do that.

So the plan? I feel I can stay committed being that I’ll be blogging every week about progress, recipes, new routine, etc. I’m just trying to stay consistent. The results aren’t going to come over night so patience is key.

Until next time …