On time management & eating healthy

Eating healthy has never been one of my strong suits. Hell, for that matter you can go ahead and add exercise to the list of behaviors that I do not heavily frequent.

Since I was a kid I've always just been a very particular eater. I have cravings that I almost always follow and to that fact; if I'm not hungry....I just don't eat. But let's be honest. Usually I'm hungry for salty, sweet or a combo of the two. Since becoming an adult (whatever that is) I now have broadened my food horizons and actually like veggies so much my inner child probably wants to scream daily in protest. I now heavily indulge in asparagus, brussel sprouts, artichokes, edamame, arugula and heaps of avocados.

However I'm not the best at working those tasty greens into my life when things get hectic or when a long day turns to tired. Instead I easily opt for the pizza, pasta or anything fast. And my biggest challenge.... the dreaded morning. I am not a morning folk. If it weren't for the coffee I'd probably never wake.

So awhile back I decided to make some lifestyle changes and become a Beachbody coach. I thought that if I had enough motivation (read, expensive monthly dues); I'd definitely follow through. It's never worked with the gym so I don't know why I thought it would help now. I lasted about two months before I quit but the one part I desperately enjoyed were the morning shakes with protein/vitamin powder. It was quick, easy and tasted fabulous. Not to mention; full ALL morning long. And on the especially hot Los Angeles days it was so great to mix my coffee with a few ice cubes, the vanilla powder, a frozen banana, almond milk and holy yum be out the door.

Well unfortunately that powder was not cheap and I gave it up. Until..... Naturade gave me the opportunity to try their fabulous nutritional shake. Their shakes come in great flavors with everything you need in just one serving. Vitamins, fruits, veggies, fiber, probiotics AND Vegan; which meant I didn't have to worry about my lactose-intolerance. Plus the cost is so great at just under $35 for a 22.75oz container.

I really loved the vanilla and used it to make my own shake I like to call "Strawberry Cheesecake". Feel free to grab the recipe and try Naturade yourself. They also sell single serving size packets which are great for on-the-go or taking camping and such. Or you can learn more about Naturade on their site.

 

Strawberry Cheesecake Shake

1/2 cup ice
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup graham crackers 
1tsp honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 scoop vanilla Naturade 

Add all ingredients and blend until well combined. If too thick---add more liquid. Too runny---add more ice or frozen fruit. 


*Naturade provided this product free for my review and I was not compensated in any other way. This is a sponsored post from 4sponsor.com with my unbaised thoughts. All opinions are always my own and I only share what I think my readers would also benefit from. 
 

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friday is...

flower headband c/o just dawnelle

 

#nofilter clouds

// wearing white sundresses
// enjoying the sunshine
// playing with the pup
// rocking your inner hippie
// eating dessert first
// grilling outdoors
// writing to your penpal
// dipping your toes in the pool
// working from home
// reading a good book
// falling in love with the bluest sky
// catching up on lovely blog posts like this & this & this, oh & THIS!
// crying at the internet because seriously with this story?!
// watching seasons of FRIENDS
// kissing the one you love
// celebrating that tomorrow is the weekend

happy day. what's your friday? 

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At-Home DIY: ombre hair tutorial

I'm a total nut when it comes to my hair (where my ladies at?) and can never seem to commit to any actual style. Therefore I'm always wanting a change. And the one style I always seem to come back to.... ombre. Maybe it's because I hate getting my haircut (and trust NO ONE). Maybe it's because hell, my man likes my hair long anyway. Or, maybe it's just because getting your hairs done is too damn expensive.

Whatever the reason, I always seem to just let. it. grow. But obviously that long brown straight mop gets boring after awhile and I need a spruce.

enter: ombre. 

salons are expensive. especially in LA. soooooo...... enter DIY ombre. 

 

//supplies//

gloves

  bowl for mixing bleach

(be sure you read the packet for what kind of bowl is acceptable)

developer

packet o' bleach

(i like to use L'Oreal QuickBlue) 

toner*

applicator brush 

 

*toner can be applied after rinsing bleach to avoid brassy orange. 

I usually don't need it, but you might. 

//step one

make sure you start with dry hair with no product added. add your packet of bleach to the bowl along with a few ounces of developer and mix with the brush. (also helpful to be wearing your gloves) make sure also to be wearing a shirt you care NOTHING about---preferably easy to remove (big open head-hole or button-up).   make sure your hair is falling how you like it and divide it in half pulling each side forward. 

//step two

using the brush, generously apply the bleach to the ends of your hair. I usually start with one side and brush it on, flip my hair over, brush some more, flip again and so on. you want to make sure you've coated the hair as much as possible on all sides. also decide how high you want it bleached and blend it out above that line by only lightly and sporadically applying the bleach. then move to the other side and repeat the process. 

//step three

let the bleach sit on your hair for up to an hour (or per instructions on packet). you will be able to see how light your hair is getting and decide when you're ready to rinse. I like to try and get it as blonde as possible so I leave mine on for entire hour. if you have thinner or lighter hair then you can probably leave it less time. once you are happy with it, pull off those clothes and hop in the shower! rinse that bleach alllllll out and then shampoo/condition as usual. 

//step four

apply the toner according to bottle instructions if you feel like your bleach came out t0o orange. (note: you may need to see your hair dry to know it's true color as it's usually darker when wet)  this should help tame it down. if you are happy with your results, rock that shit. you are officially an ombre-wearing beauty & hair-DIY champion. enjoy!

bleach on

bleach off, dried and finished

*if you feel like you need a watchable tutorial my lovely friend danielle (whom gave me the original inspiration and motivation for ombre) has a great video here on her blog.  thanks again friend for giving me the courage to be a rockstar. 

*also please note that doing your own hair means you are doing so at your own risk. i am NOT a professional stylist. 

 

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Taking Stock

 

firmoo glasses

firmoo glasses

firmoo glasses

firmoo glasses

firmoo glasses

 

 

Making:
 my house super shiny and clean. because it feels oh so good. you know, for that ONE whole day that it stays that way.

Cooking:
 dinner. every night. which if you know me at all is not something that used to do. pretty sure i was certain i was allergic to the kitchen in the past. but now, i have a hard-working man that comes home tired and hungry. so send me your best (and easiest) recipes. 

Drinking:
 diet coke. i'm back on the wagon. 

Reading:
 i keep alternating between books but haven't found something i love. what are you reading?

Wanting:
 for this new job opportunity that's knocking at my door to work out great. it's got a LOT of potential.... keep your toes crossed for me. this one could be life-changing folks.

Looking:
 at Molly, waiting to go outside to play and wait for her daddy to come home

Playing:
 Grey's Anatomy....over and over, again and again. it's my happy place.

Wasting:
 money on lots of boring bills when i want to be having adventures.

Sewing:
 new exciting hoop art with shiny shiny beads. hey who knew hand-beading took forever!?

Wishing:
 for just a bit of change. or maybe a big change.... ya, a big exciting change sounds so sweet right now.

Enjoying:
 quiet mornings with a cuddly pup, an empty house and full remote control

Waiting:
 for my fella to come home.... always and forever waiting for him to come home. even though I like the quiet house and control of the remote; i like him even more.

Liking:
 watching all my plants grow and for once in my life not having a black thumb.

Wondering:
 if i SHOULD be doing the dishes instead of writing this post but realizing there are always dishes and they can wait a bit.

Loving: 
that i finally feel like a grown up with goals, dreams and a daily desire to get there. folks, i even go to bed at 9pm every night!

Hoping:
 that i actually commit to starting cardio barre next week like i keep promising myself that i will.... you can do it!

Marveling:
 at how quickly the time always goes by. we've almost lived in LA for 3 years now and are coming up on our 6-year anniversary this fall. holy wow.

Needing:
 a genuine soul session with my deepest girl friends. gosh i wish they didn't live 1000miles away!

Smelling:
 a totally clean house (except for those dishes) and feeling proud that I worked my booty off to get it that way yesterday.

Wearing:
 my incredible new FIRMOO sunnies that go from indoor to out. I cannot tell you how much i loooooove these glasses and how easy they were to order! plus they were so inexpensive! you MUST get yourself a pair pronto!

Following:
 this great IG'er whose photos make me want to eat WAY better, this GORGEOUS bff of mine whose face i cannot get enough of and who i literally want to text 100 times a day & this beautiful friend who makes the very best food i've ever tasted and whose cooking videos with her daughter make me laugh and cry because they are THE sweetest

Noticing:
my house is getting darker and the night is getting later and i should definitely be cooking dinner by now....oops!

Feeling:
 so so tired all the time but anxious to see what awaits just around the corner.... i'm telling you...bring it big exciting change.

Opening:
 my shop.... someday....hopefully soon!

xoxo

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