Thoughtful Thursday

     What a last couple of weeks (in my case month or so) it has been.  I have been busier than usual, which I am coming to learn is the excuse for me to not blog to an extent.  In all honesty, I have been a big funk partly.  The other part is that I feel lost a bit.  I have been blogging for six years now. To say that I am frustrated about my vision for the blog and where I am compared to others who started when and after I did is an understatement. 

On my part, I admit that I am different from a lot of people that blog: I work full-time, go to school full-time, and try to blog somewhere in between studying, working, and other social commitments I have. There are not enough hours in the day to do all the task I want and have to do. I have been stressed out to the point recently that I am breaking out in hives. My doctor said that is one of the ways that my body is showing how I am handling stress externally.  Trying to figure out how to balance and spread my time out better is something that I am still looking to do.

 I am going to start posting on slowly again on Thursdays and work my way back up again. At this point, I may post four times a week or one time a week. It is going to depend on how I am feeling and what my life outside of writing looks like. Until then, here are some quotes for this week:

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Coming to terms with where I am blogging-wise is the first step of my changing how I approach what I post and social media in general. Staying optimistic is something that I have been doing off and on for sometime.  Looking forward to the next step in my blogging journey and thank you to all of the people who have taken time to visit over the last few years.

Peace & Blessing, all!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

Hello again!!! This summer has been super busy & crazy compared to other ones. There has been a lot going on. I've  been working 40+ hours a week along with trying to finish studying for my summer class (which I got an A in). Earlier this year, I decided to get my personal training certification. I'm going to "try to" finish the course in the next few weeks along with finding a CPR class.  Lastly, I'm planning a wedding for March, looking at locations (having a destination wedding in a place we both want to go to), bands/DJ, and all the other planning involved in a wedding. I have been trying to kept a float and find time for everything. 

Hence the reason why I have not been blogging as much.  This week has been a strange one including me stepping on a stool Monday a work when I was getting up from my desk and twisting my ankle. Life and accidents happen sometimes, which I'm most definitely living proof of. Somethings get put on the back burner (in my case,blogging). I don't know about anyone else but who else is glad the weekend is almost here. This girl right here, that's who. School starts tomorrow #mylastfallsemsterEVERRR. Here are some quotes that are helping me push through this new school year and rest of the week:

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Peace & blessing, all. Have a great Thursday and stay positive all!!! 

Thoughtful Thursday

Almost the end of July and I have been slacking on the blog really badly.  Between my summer class about legal issues in sports, work, trying to workout, and having a sinus infection (a regular summer occurrence at this point) I have been busy. At the moment, I am trying to finish my personal training course on top of studying for my finally next week in my class. Next week, I am hoping to start blogging regularly again (fingers crossed). Until then, here are some thoughts for this Thursday:

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Peace & Blessings, All. Everyone have a great Thursday and try to keep cool in this summer heat.

Fitness Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!!! It's not only Tuesday but it is my birthday today as well. Every year, I usually buy a new outfit to wear on my birthday. Well, this year I am buying new exercise clothes because I really need more of those.... I had been on a spending break for a while so since today started the Victoria's Secret semi-annual sale I though it would be a good time to stock up on these tanks.

Mesh Racerback tank

I have this tank in black, white, the rose color, and the gray color.  These are great for exercising, lounging or running errands. I had to stop myself before I bought every color.

And debating buying some more of these:

Knockout by Victoria Sport Front-Close Sports Bra

I own a few of these already. I know that a lot of people have not liked how they changed the way that they make these/the material that is used. If you are wanting a sports bra that will give you support like a regular bra when you are working out, this bra is it.

Here are a few other items that have caught my eye:

Anytime Cotton Capri

Mesh Long-sleeve tee

Knockout by Victoria Sport Tight

Burnout Racerback Tank

Knockout by Victoria Sport Crop

Since last September, I have been working out more and trying to eat better. One plus is that I now know what foods make me feel great and the ones that make me feel like crap so I try to stay away from those. After my car accident almost two years ago, I have a new appreciation for life. This year, turning 36, I hope to go on some new adventures and make some changes personally and professionally in my life.

Here's to 36!!! Peace and blessings, all and have a great Tuesday.

Thoughtful Thursday

Happy Thursday!!! It's hard to believe that today is the last day in May. The last few month, have gone by so quickly.  In the last few days, I finally figured out a way to manage blogging, work, school, and studying for my Personal Training Certification.  That was one of the changes that I was talking about yesterday. Off and on for the last few years I had been debating taking the test to be a CPT. I still have to study for that plus my class that is four days a week. I will see how it goes with all the readings, notes, and videos I have to watch.   

Probably next week, I will do an update on how I am doing towards reaching my yearly goals. Until then, here are some quotes for this week:

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There are some other changes that I am making pertaining to the blog and in other areas in my life. I will sharing those as they start to happen. Peace & Blessings all and have a great Thursday!!!

Favorite Products from the last two months

Hello!!!!!! After a few months away (I think March was the last time I posted anything) I am back. I have been super busy for the last few months with school, work, and some other activities.  The Spring semester is over but Summer school started Yesterday. Yay for legal issues!!! There are some changes that are going to be happening in the next month so be on the lookout for that.

Since I have been gone, I have tried and been using some new products on the regular. Anyone who knows me knows that I am all about trying new products when they come out. Here are my favorite products that I have been using since the last time I blogged. These are all my own opinions about each of these products.

Back to Nature Peanut Butter Granola clusters

This is super addictive. I have been looking for granola that did not have any coconut in it. This one along with one from Nature Valley met that requirement. I eat this in plain yogurt, with milk, fruit, or just as a snack by itself.  You have to make sure not to eat too much though. It is about 220 calories per cup so I usually weight mine or us measuring cups to portion it out.

Scmidt's natural deodorant jar

I am always on the lookout for a new natural or organic health companies to try.  Anytime I go to TJMAXX or Marshalls , I always find some great beauty and health products.  I found this deodorant in the jar and actually like it.  The jar come with a little stick to help the deodorant out. You just take a small amount, warm it with your fingertips, and apply it under your underarms.

The scent above is the one that I bought.  It smells so good.  I did buy two deodorant sticks of this sent because they have started selling it at Wal-Mart (it was only about .50 cheaper).  I have to say that I am not completely in love with the application of the stick. It is messier than the jar in my opinion.

Defiance Fuel Pre-work

I have been looking for a drink or snack to have before my workouts. I found this from one of the people I follow on Instagram. There are 24 sticks in the container. This does give me the boost that I need before I workout. The only thing I do not like about it is the taste. To me, it taste a tad bit sweet so I usually only use half a pack & dilute it with more water to make it less sweet. The other advantage is by using half I end up with 48 sticks instead of 24.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

I found this product on one of the wellness websites that I get emails from on a regular basis. This is suppose to help with hair and nail growth. Ever since I started using this, my nails and hair have been growing a little fast. Also, my nails  have become stronger than they were before.

Nature Valley Biscuits
I will eat these as a snack or for breakfast if I am in a hurry in the morning. These comes in packs of four but I usually only eat two. Besides the blueberry they come in Honey and Lemon Poppy as well. I have not tried the Lemon Poppy but the Honey ones are really good also. Two of the biscuits have about 115 calories and 6g of sugar which is not terrible.

Vital Proteins stick pack sample

The sample pack is great for if you want to try a few of the items out.  I gave the Strawberry Lemonade Beauty water to one of my manager's to try. I was super excited about that one but it contains coconut in it. This is great for someone who is wanting to try their products but not spend the money on the larger items yet.

If anyone gets a chance to try some of these I would to know what you think about them.  Peace and blessings all and have a great Wednesday!!!

2018 Goal Update

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Why hello there. Since the end of January, I have been taking a blogging "break". I have numerous post that I started writing but never posted. The plus side to this is that I have post for the next two weeks since I have decided to finish all of them.

Since my little hiatus is over, I decided to share with you how my Goals for there year are looking. Some are going pretty good. Others on the not so much. I am probably going to do two to three month updates to share how I am progressing and the struggles that I am having.

Here are how things are going as of March:

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Get healthier

I have lost a few pounds since January but I have hit a roadblock. Now though, I do have motivation. As work we are doing a weight loss change that ends in September. The person who wins it gets a good bit of money. It is based on body fat percentage so weight does not matter. I have 6 months to get to the percentage that I want to get to.

One thing that I am doing is trying to add more protein to my diet and cutback on the unhealthy fat in my diet. I have been slowly increasing my exercising amount again. I will let y'all know in May how it goes.

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Journal

This is one goal that I have been sticking to. Ever since my friend gave me my journal, I have written in it at least 5 days a week. Usually, I write in it first thing in the more after I mediate and right before I go to bed. For me, doing it this way does two things: first, it let's me get any thoughts that I had during the night get off my chest. Second, it make sure to get out an feelings or stress from the day before I got to sleep.

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Try to not stress as much

I have cutback on this a little bit. I just finally realize that I can't control others, how they act, and how they react. Most of my stress at this point is more outward sources than those close to me. I am just trying to find ways to handle it.

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Take control of finances

Epic fail!!!! I was doing good in January then February hit. Those not spending money goals just went down the toilet. I had some prints framed, ate out WAYYYY too much, and had to pay to get my car fixed. So I spent, A WHOLE LOT last month. Then there is the whole making a budget thing.

I had started one but all the spreadsheets that excel had confused me a bit and I want something a little easier to track with. I did really well when I us to write it down in my spending notebook but, it was a big ol' hot mess. I had receipts everywhere in my purse and would fall out. I am going to start looking for something similar to that but with some organization.

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Get organize

Speaking of organization, this is a yes and a no. I have gotten organized in certain place such as the pantry in the house. I will share a post on it because I think it is a more realistic pantry space compared to some of the other people who have done them. It is literally the size of a small linen closet.

The guest room and office are still a no-go. In all honesty, when you have two people who work full time jobs plus have other commitments a house is not going to get unpacked quickly. It is easier to have unpack when you have time to do it. The two three main goals for the house are to finish the guest bedroom, unpack the office, and finish the closet. For those who do not know, there was an issue in the master closet and the guest bedroom has become my closet at the moment. 

I would love to know how others are doing on the goals they set for this year. Oh, each month I have a different word of that I want to focus on and March's word in Productivity. It means different things to different people. To me it means getting things done so here's to March.

Peace & Blessings, all!!!

Fitness Tuesday

Hi all. I have been sick. Surprising right? Not really, considering I get sick at least once every season. Anywho. being sick has put a tiny damper on my gym routine. Meaning, that since I have been sick I have only gone to the gym 1 to 2 times every week. 

Outside of that I have been doing some exercises at the house. At the moment my main issue that I have is not my stomach but my inner thighs. I have gotten my outer thighs toned but the inner thigh area is being a pain in my side (figuratively not literally). I found some exercises on Pinterest  that I am going to give a try. I have done some of these before but there were a few that I have not seen before. Here are the exercises that I am going to try for the next few weeks:

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Peace & Blessings, all. Have a great Tuesday and happy exercising. 

Thoughtful Thursday

Hard to believe that the week is almost over. I joked about it yesterday but we actually did get snow in the Southeast. It did give me some time to plan some post for the blog and also nap. Yes, I am an adult that still naps when I can. Every month of this year, I am going to choose on word to serve as inspiration to reach the goals for the year.

This month word is fitting since it is the beginning of the year: motivation. For me, that means the motivation to go workout, do school work before the due dates, save money to pay off debt and travel/for my wedding. At times, it is hard to stay motivated with some of those things but I am going to try to stick with the goals that I made on January 1st. Here are some quotes today from Pinterest:

Peace & Blessings, all. Have a great Thursday and keep warm.