Product Spotlight: Zevia

Who wants to waste calories on a soda? Not me. I enjoy a caffeinated beverage every now and then...or  everyday but, do not need or want the extra calories. I used to drink diet soda but kept getting headaches. I  found out that it was the aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. This is where Zevia entered my life. Cue the dramatic music.

Zevia is an all natural cola sweetened with Stevia. The company was started by Paddy Spence who realized he was consuming about 1000 calories everyday from sugar alone. I thank him for doing this because I to want to live healthier without sacrificing sweetness. Some people have to get their coffee fix everyday. I need my Zevia. You can read more about Zevia here at www.zevia.com.

Here is a list of the flavors they offer. 

You can click on a flavor for

 the nutritional information.

• Black Cherry
• Caffeine Free Cola
• Cola
• Cream Soda
• Dr. Zevia
• Ginger Ale
• Ginger Root Beer
• Grape
• Grapefruit Citrus
• Lemon Lime Twist
• Mountain Zevia
• Orange

Try one and let me know what you think!

words to begin your week

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Former Skinny Girl :: Part 3

Last week I showed several different menu forms. The menu form shown below is the one I'm going to use. It will be easy to print off and post on the fridge. It will also be easy enough to bring along to the grocery store. I also found one on iTunes but, I'm going to stick with this one until I get the whole menu thing down.

Moving on...

I have a question for you. Why is it so difficult to eat well? I have the best intentions. We began the week with chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies but, then there was the Tres Leches cake that Bill brought home from a Holiday party the night before. The rest of the week just went downhill from there. Next week will be better...it definitely can't be worse.

My goal for next week goes hand in hand with eating better. I am going to start keeping a food journal. It will help to keep me accountable. I am going to keep track of everything. Every. Single. Thing.

If you are interested in keeping a food journal here are a two options for your iPhone:

Lose it!

I've used this one before (for a day - haha) and I really liked it. You

can download it from the iTunes Store - FREE!

Calorie Counter by MyNetDiary

You can download it from the iTunes Store - FREE!

I'm going use these simultaneously this week and I'll let you know what I think of them next Saturday. Do you keep a food journal?

Happy Eating...I mean Healthy Eating!

high five for friday

My five favorites from the past week.

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one.

Being Healthy Again! Yay!!

two.

Seeing my niece Sophia - 

She is the smartest, cutest, funniest little gal I know!

three.

 Revlon Nail Color

Here are my newest colors:

         Chic                Fashionista

 

Graceful           Sparkling  

four.

Discovering Downton Abbey

See Season 1 episodes streaming on Netflix

Catch up on Season 2 on PBS.com

five.

Bubble Bath on a cold night

My favorite bubble bath/shower gel.

You can get it here

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Linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk

Check her blog out!

It's Almost Friday!

I know it's only Thursday but, I can't wait until this weekend. Not just because it's the weekend and it's been a crazy week at work but because I am seeing old friends (S & L) . I am so excited because I am getting together with two gals from high school.  I haven't really seen "L" in over 10 years. So, what do thirty-something girls that haven't seen each other in years do? We have dinner and go bowling of course. Ha ha. I find it funny that in all of the years we went to school together we NEVER went bowling yet, this seems to be the activity of choice for a casual get together. I think it will be perfect. There's no pressure. 

I wonder what we'll talk about. I mean we haven't seen each other OR talked to each other for years. Do we each try to sum up the last 10 years while bowling? I don't think so. I think we re-connect and have some fun. It will give us that jumping off point for next time. I hope there will be a next time...even though there hasn't even been a first time.

I think high school friendships are funny in the way that you think you're going to be friends forever -and some friends are friends forever. Yet, somehow the two gals I felt the most myself with I lost touch with over the years. I graduated and I met new people at college. We all went to different colleges and didn't keep in touch. I am really bad at keeping in touch with the friends I have now. I hate talking on the phone. I really really hate it.  Don't ask me why. I just don't like it. But thankfully they stayed in touch with each other and  "S" got in touch with me after moving to the same town a couple of years ago. Even though we didn't talk for several years the last time we got together it was like we were never apart. I'm hoping it's that way for the three of us on Sunday.

Have a Great Thursday!

Wednesday :: Pinterest :: Top Ten

Follow me on Pinterest

via Pinterest

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I love everything about this! 

The shoes are adorable.

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Perfect periwinkle

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I think I could do this

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I like how large this bag is

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I really want a new iPhone case

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I don't usually wear bracelets but this is cute

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A new hair clip from Poppy and Pippa

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Yogurt dipped strawberries - yum

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So Springy - I love the white top and jeans

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I like the white with pops of color

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I linked up with Michelle over at The Vintage Apple.

Check her blog out!

Which one is your favorite? 

20 Facts About Me

a lovely pic of me after work 

(excuse the flat hair)

1. I'm 35 - yup, that old!

2. I am left-handed

3. I'm a homebody and my husband is the complete opposite.

4. My husband and I had the highest compatibility score during pre-marriage counseling that they  had ever seen.

5. I've seen every episode of Bones several times.

6. When I was little I wanted to be a bus driver.  My sister and I used to pretend to be bus drivers on our bikes. We had hundreds of trees around our house and we would rake paths to be "bus routes." We had incredible imaginations and were incredibly dorky. (Many, many years ago).

7. I am utterly and completely tone-deaf and my husband is a musician.  I wanted to be a singer when I was little. I had great parents who never told me I was horrible.

8. I enjoy reading historical fiction. I think it's fascinating how they lived in the past. My favorites are: The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follett. I've read each three times.

9. I am a natural blonde. I've colored my hair only a handful of times.

10. I'm so glad my sister finally had a girl! I can't wait for mani/pedi girl's day...in a couple of years.

11. I taught myself how to knit but, haven't done it since Whidbey came into the house. I can't imagine the disaster that would be.

12. I talk to my cat like he's going to talk back. I even ask him questions!?

13. My first tape (cassette tape) was Madonna's Like a Virgin. I was in third grade and had no idea what a virgin was.

14. I easily become addicted to video games. I can't stop playing until I master it. Angry Birds anyone?

15. I used to be a Preschool teacher just like my Mom.

16. I don't think I will ever be able to keep my "planner" on my iPhone. I really like my paper planner.

17. We typically don't make our bed in the morning but I make it every night before I go to bed. I hate messy sheets and blankets.

18. I've never had a glass of white milk. Ever. 

19. I wish the Gilmore Girls were my friends. They were so fun!

20. My husband and I are not having children.

Words to Begin Your Week

via Pinterest

Have a great Monday!!

My Little Helper

I finally started to feel back to normal yesterday so I decided to work on Poppy and Pippa. I was able to get new items created, photos taken/edited and loaded into (onto?) our Etsy store.

Today, I thought I'd share what happens EVERY TIME I take photos for Poppy and Pippa.Whidbey cannot stay off of the table when I am taking photos. He can be in a dead sleep but, when he hears the camera he's front and center ready to "help."

This is what I imagine he's thinking:

"I really really want to touch that. I think I can reach it.

 Look, I can almost reach it!"

"Aren't I a good helper? I'm holding the ruler for you. 

Come on, let me be in one picture. Please."

"This is my good side. I'm ready for my close up now."

Have a wonderful and relaxing Sunday. 

I hope that you are all staying healthy!

Former Skinny Girl :: Part 2

 I hate that I've gained weight but, I like having curves. Not necessarily the curve of my belly but you know what I mean. My goal is to lose 20 pounds and keep it off. I don't have an end date in mind...just before my 20 year class reunion in 3 years. (Wow, that makes me feel old.) I think I can do it! It's not just the weight that I want to lose I want to be more healthy and have more energy.

Last Saturday I mentioned that I would keep you updated on how the week before went when it came to exercising and eating. Well, I was sick with a stomach bug ALL week so there's nothing to report. Although I am down 3 lbs. :) I've been sticking to dry toast, applesauce and bananas this week.

My goal for the coming week is to make a schedule of the meals Bill and I will make for supper. Of course having a cute board or printable to write this list on will make the goal so much more fun! These are a few of the boards and printables I found on Pinterest. I'm not sure which one I should attempt to create.

 This one is great because you have space to write the entire meal including sides in each daily box. There is also a main menu at the bottom to write the main dishes and a grocery list off to the side. Love it. 

You can print off the template here.

artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com

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I love the idea behind this one. All of the recipes are right at your fingertips and the main dishes are magnets. So there's not trying to "think" of meals. It's all right there. This one is great in theory but can you imagine how long it takes to make this!!! I just don't think I have the time for this one. If you want to find out more about it you can read about it here.

robbygurlscreations.blogspot.com

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Here is another simple one that I really like. It has space for everything and with a quick glance I can see what's for dinner. You can download your own printable here.

Kamleylane.com

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I like this one because it would make grocery shopping a snap. All of the items are broken down off the the right of the page. You can download your own Meal planner here.

http://www.theprojectgirl.com

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Now, this magnet board is one I can handle! It is from the Better Homes and Garden's Website. I think this is the one I'm going to attempt...maybe. All you really need is sticker printer paper and magnet strips. I would arrange it on my fridge so I didn't have to purchase a magnet board. Plus, I have a cat who would think it's a new toy and knock it down. I think this is my favorite. I like the idea of having a magnetic notebook right next to the menu to write a grocery list. Love it!

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Which one is your favorite? Do you use some type of menu for meal planning?

High Five For Friday

Here are my five favorite things from this last week. This is kinda tough because I've had a stomach bug all week so I chose the things that got me through this week.

1. My Soda Stream - I can't drink plain water when I don't feel well.

The bubbles make me feel better. (I don't add flavoring)

buy it here

2. My Macbook 

3. My Kindle - I'm reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I've read all of her books - this is not my favorite but I'll finish it :)

4. Whidbey - Kept me company - We both slept a lot.

5. Harry Potter - Yes, I'm a Harry Potter Geek!

I'm Linking up with Lauren over at My Grey Desk again. Check it out!

Product Spotlight: Chanel Nail Polish

 I'm so excited to say that I finally tried Chanel nail polish and I love it! Jess gave me Vixen for Christmas.

It is the best-selling Chanel nail polish color of all time. It is easy to apply because it is the perfect nail polish consistency. I applied two coats and it is beautiful - I think it's my new favorite color! You can purchase it here.

Please pardon the condition of my cuticles - ND winter is dry!

Have you tried Chanel Nail Polish? What's your favorite color?

Still not feeling fantastic but wanted to share my Wednesday top ten with you.

 I pray that you all stay healthy!!

Wednesday :: Pinterest :: Top Ten

You can follow me on Pinterest.

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For my someday office/craft room

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 Love this idea - although I'd need several spice racks!

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 I love how this space is so bright and happy

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 I adore this color combo!!

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 Love salted caramel!

Might have to make for future post...

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Kitschy

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I love green and I love this green and teal kitchen even more!!

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Too cute for words - love kittens

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The sweater coat is dressy but comfy.

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Stacked bracelets.

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Do you love Pinterest as much as I do? What is your favorite?