Weightloss Wednesday-V-Day Tips

What are your plans for the V-Day?  We always do food, the is the first thing I think about when I think V-day.  And lately working out has not been happening so not feeling so great about my V-Day outfit either.  But no worries, here are some helpful tips on how to prepare for the most romantic (and at times, stressful) holiday of the year:

·         Eliminate pre-date jitters with some cardio!

o   Take 30 mins in the morning to walk, run, bike, etc. The endorphins your body releases during and after your workout will help you relax and allow you to clear your mind for the big night.

§  Did you know? If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day (like brisk walking), five times per week, you can almost guarantee yourself a healthier and more satisfying life while lowering your risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes (Source: American Heart Association)

·         A healthy meal is a romantic meal: 

o   Plan Ahead: If you know where you’re going ahead of time and there’s a menu available online, be sure to review it and identify some of the best options that align with your healthy eating habits.

§  Aim for lean meats like fish, skinless poultry and beef (flank, tenderloin, sirloin) and avoid anything fried. Also, instead of eating the white bread rolls that come out before dinner, request whole wheat rolls – if they don’t serve them, it’s best to just skip it.

o   Menu 101: It may seem simple, but knowing how to read a menu is a key element in selecting the right items. Pay attention to terms such as “blackened” vs. “creamed” and “steamed” versus “sautéed,” as these preparation methods make a huge difference in how healthy a menu item is.

§  Knowing what is on the menu ahead of time will also reduce any stress or anxiety that may come from figuring out what to order.

o   Take It To-Go: Because so many restaurants serve huge portions, suggest sharing a meal with that special someone and/or request a “to-go box” when ordering and pack up half of the meal before beginning to eat.

o   Slow Down: While it is important to learn what to eat, focusing on how to eat is also a key component to dining out successfully. Be sure to chew slowly and notice the flavor and texture if the food – savor the flavor.

§  Also, don’t forget to pause mid-meal and check your appetite to prevent overeating and feeling stuffed. Remember, the first bite always tastes best!

 ***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.  In honor of National Heart Health Month, Jenny Craig, proud supporter of the American Heart Association, is sharing these tips.

****CLOSED***Be my Valentine-Smoothie King GC Giveaway

So have you been keeping up with your weight?  Was V-Day your goal date?  Valentine's Day traditionally comes with loads of chocolates and sweets.  But if you are keeping your eye on the bigger prize, not just one  day but the rest of our lives.  Every sweet V-day can still be enjoyed in a very different healthy way.

This V-Day be smooth and give in to that sweet tooth but do not make bad choices.  When we want something to snack on, we stop at our local Smoothie King and each get a smoothie.  I even make mine skinny with less calories but still satisfy my craving.

With Valentine's Day only a few days away, you might still be stressing on what to get your significant other.  Let's get real- another year of flowers and chocolate is simply not going to cut it.  Why not keep it simple and treat your sweetheart to Smoothie King- the creator of the original smoothie, who offers 38 delicious and nutritious options under 300 calories.  The perfect pick-me up, meal on the go, Smoothie King's delicious smoothies will satisfy your Valentine's taste buds with flavors from Passion Passport to Pineapple Pleasure.

Packed with fruits, veggies, heart-healthy minerals and nutrients, these smoothies will be the perfect (guilt free) treat to get your someone special this February 14th.  Smoothie King wants to show the love, and is  offering one of my lucky readers a $10 gift card.

How to enter:

1)  Mandatory-Show me the love....tell me what flavor you like.  (Must be a blog follower-1 entry)

2)  Share the love-Facebook Share. (1 entry/per share)

3)  Tweet the love. (1 entry/per tweet-must be at least an hr apart)

Enter to #win a @SmoothieKing $10 gc @independentmami #giveaway ends 2/15 http://tinyurl.com/a6txjz9

4)  Comment Love-Leave a comment on any February non-giveaway post. (1 entry/per comment/per post)

This giveaway ends 2/15/13 at 8 am.  1 winner will be randomly selected.  The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.  Must leave email in the comment.  US only.  Good luck.  

***Disclosure-I will be receiving a gc in return for this post.  Smoothie King is a place my family and I frequently visit.  Any and all opinions stated are our own, honest opinions.

How to get Grammy's looks: Janelle Monae & Miranda Lambert

Did you watch the Grammys?  Oh so much to talk about....from the no cleavage letter, to the stunning looks, it's the GRAMMYS.  Covergirl was in the mix....

El diseño de uñas de Janelle Monáe en los premios Grammy por Tracey Sutter

Comencé limando un poco sus uñas de forma cuadrada, asegurándome que las esquinas no quedaran filudas y luego trabajé un poco la cutícula. Para los colores, en primer lugar, apliqué dos capas de COVERGIRL Outlast Nail Gloss en Forever Festive. Luego apliqué una capa de Outlast Nail Gloss en Crystal Clear para darle aún más brillo a las uñas de sus manos y pies. Janelle lució el clásico esmoquin que la caracteriza, esta vez tenía un toque de color dorado en su solapa, por lo que quisimos acentuar este look, colocando un diseño “Funky” en una sola uña para resaltarla. Para la uña que acentuamos en tonos dorados, utilizamos Outlast Nail Gloss en Black Diamond con metales dorados en la parte superior, y luego Outlast Nail Gloss en Snow Storm para crear diseños en círculos pequeños.

Janelle Monáe Grammy Nails by Tracey Sutter

I started with a light file to her nails. Shaping them square making sure the corners were not sharp, tending to the cuticle area next. I first applied two coats of COVERGIRL Outlast Nail Gloss in Forever Festive. I then added a layer of Outlast Nail Gloss in Clear for extra shine on her hands and toes. Janelle was sporting her signature tuxedo, with a pop of gold on the collar, so we wanted to accent that with a funky statement nail. For the statement nail we used Outlast Nail Gloss in Black Diamond with gold metals on the top, and then used Outlast Nail Gloss in Snow Storm to create the small circle designs.

El maquillaje de Janelle Monáe en los premios Grammy por Saisha Beecham

Me inspiré en un “look” de un rostro fresco que encontré en una revista – renovándolo con un toque de glamour. Janelle llevaba adornos en su chaqueta, así que quise mantener su maquillaje suave y simple.  Con tan apretada agenda, inmediatamente comencé aplicando COVERGIRL Queen Collection All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation en tono Warm Carmel. ¡Me encanta que esta base tiene corrector, base y polvo, todo en una – esto me ahorra mucho tiempo! Para preparar su piel, coloqué el rubor Classic Color Blush en Iced Plum para acentuar sus mejillas y luego, añadí un poco de TRUblend Minerals Bronzer en Golden Sunrise.  En sus ojos, difuminé las sombras de Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows en Golden Sunset, solo por debajo del pliegue del ojo. Para darle un factor sorpresa, delineé sus ojos con LineExact Liquid Liner en Very Black colocando una línea fina bien cerca de las pestañas.
Para los labios, apliqué LipPerfection LipLiner en Passion (215) recubriendo todo el labio, completándolo con una capa de LipPerfection Lipcolor en Hot (305).

Janelle Monáe Grammy Makeup by Saisha Beecham

I was inspired by a fresh faced look that I found in a magazine - clean with a touch of glamour. Janelle has embellishments on her jacket so we wanted to keep her makeup look clean and simple.  With such a hectic schedule, I immediately started with COVERGIRL Queen Collection All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation in Warm Carmel. I love that this foundation has concealer, foundation and powder all in one - it saves so much time! To warm up her skin, I used Classic Color Blush in Iced Plum to make her cheeks pop and then I added a touch of TRUblend Minerals Bronzer in Golden Sunrise.  On her eyes I glided Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows in Golden Sunset, only underneath the crease. To give her a wow factor, I lined her eye with Lineexact Liquid Liner in Very Black very close to the lashes.  For the lips, I applied LipPerfection LipLiner in Passion all over the lip, and topped with LipPerfection Lipcolor in Hot (305).

Maquillaje de Miranda Lambert en los premios Grammy por Terri Apanasewic

El look de Miranda en la alfombra roja era reminiscencia del viejo Hollywood, con un toque moderno. Mi inspiración fue el color de sus magníficos ojos azules, por lo que quise darle un look sensual para dar vida a su vestido azul marino.  Comencé aplicando COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation en Classic Tan (855) por todo el rostro. Luego le añadí un toque de color a sus mejillas con COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush.  Para sus ojos, quería hacer una versión moderna de ojos ahumados – que fuera suave y sutil. Acentué sus ojos azules, aplicando LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara en Very Black. Para sus labios, quise mantenerlos bien simples, por lo que apliqué Jumbo Gloss Balm en Copper Stars.

Miranda Lambert Grammy Makeup by Terri Apanasewic
Miranda's red carpet look was reminiscent of old Hollywood, with a modern twist. My inspiration was her gorgeous blue eyes, so I wanted to give her a sultry look to bring to life her navy gown.  I started by applying COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in Classic Tan (855) all over her face. I then added a pop of color to her cheeks with COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush.  For her eyes I wanted to do a modern take on the smoky eye - soft and subtle. I accentuated her blue eyes by applying LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara in Very Black . For her lips I wanted to keep it simple, so we used LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Copper Stars.

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.

Rebody SafSlim The Original Belly Fat Supplement Review

I want to tell you about a product I am currently testing.

SafSlim®, Re•body’s naturally derived belly fat supplement -- contains a clinically tested ingredient that has been shown to specifically reduce belly fat. This supplement, which has been taking the weight management industry by storm since appearing on the market, is based on the power of high-linoleic safflower oil.*†

Key Benefits:

• Clinically studied ingredient designed specifically to reduce belly fat*†
• Powered by patent-pending SAFActive78 ™ emulsification technology
• Delicious creamy smoothie-like taste and texture, emulsified for easier digestion*
• Expeller-pressed, double-bonded high linoleic (78%) emulsified safflower oil*
• Easy to take non-stimulant, naturally derived ingredients*

My thoughts-So I am not allergic to it which is a big plus.  It does not contain gluten, dairy, wheat, soy, yeast, lactose or milk.  It actually taste really good, like a grape now and later.  The directions say to take before eating, twice a day.  I take it in the morning when I wake up before I walk out the door (when I remember).  I have been eating my daily 6 small meals which include my snacks for awhile now but since I started drinking this, I am not hungry like I use to be.  I feel full which is great because I cannot seem to communicate mind to stomach when I am full and done.  This way I can be done without over eating and doing damage.  It does not make me jittery.  It does not give me head aches.  It only makes me feel full.  1 spoonful makes me feel full...what more can I say.  I have yet to lose weight but it is a start.

***Disclosure-Product sample provided to review.  These are my individual results.  These are my honest opinions from my personal experience.

***CLOSED***Purex Crystals for Baby "Welcome to the World" Sweepstakes

Purex is proud to introduce the "Welcome to the World" Sweepstakes featuring Purex Crystals for Baby. One lucky grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and 250 2nd place winners will receive a coupon for a free bottle of Purex Crystals for Baby! To enter:  click here Purex Crystals for Baby - gentle formula, long-lasting freshness -baby inspired fragance -hypoallergenic -dye free -natural formula My thoughts-Just recently I started cleaning out my daughter's closet and decided to pass her clothes along to family members who needed it.  The funny thing is I had family members asking what softener did we use because they had never smelled or felt baby's clothes like this.  I told them about Purex Crystals for Baby.  Soft to the touch, smells wonderful. Want to win some to try for yourself?  I have a giveaway 1 lucky reader will win 1 Purex Crystals for Baby How to enter: 1)  Facebook share (1 entry/per share) 2)  Tweet (1 entry/per tweet/per day) Read @independentmami's blog for a chance to win a #free bottle of Purex Crystals for Baby http://tinyurl.com/cf3pu7v 3)  Share/tweet the sweepstakes.  (1 entry/per share or tweet/per day) Purex is giving away $1000, and free products at http://insiders.purex.com/welcome-to-the-world?id=10153 This giveaway ends 2/28/13 at 8 am.  1 winner will be randomly selected.  The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.  You must leave email in the link.  US only.  Good luck. ***Disclosure-Sample product provided by Purex.  I am a Purex Insider.  All opinions stated are my own.