Sometimes it is just a bad day....

Hello Dear Readers:

   A quick warning. The words inside this post are not cheery. There are no rainbows and unicorns. Inspiration does not live here. There are gloom, doom and self deprecating words.

  So mom, if you are reading this post you may want to delete it now. There. I have warned you. There is my spoiler.

  I am having a bad day. I know. I know, we all have bad days. But this is a rotten one. For no reason. Well, the reason could be my gosh darn stupid scale.  I stepped on it. I know, I shouldn't have. Not in the middle of my cycle and not when I have been working out hardcore and my body is adjusting to changes. Mid life changes. I should just throw out the scale and use tight jeans and my measuring tape. And maybe I will be brave enough for that someday. But for today: It is all a number. One little number. So close, but so far away.  Just last week I was 2 lbs away from a very big goal. Today, 5 lbs. And it just seems helpless. Hopeless.

  All of the work I have been doing. All the workouts, changing up my food. Detoxing from sugar. No more sugar. Cutting out the few carbs that are in my plan, ie. rice.  Boxing. Running. Pilates. Kale. Lots of kale. Did I mention no sugar?? Nothing is working.

    I feel defeated. I just don't understand how all of my hard work produces...NADA..nothing.  If any other normal person followed the clean food plan that I did and did half of the workouts, the lbs would drop. But not off my stupid post baby body. No, it just sits there. Like a big bowl of jello.  I am sick of it. Sick of the belly fat. The arm fat. I just want to throw up when I look in the mirror. I pinch my skin really hard.  I pull and push on it.. but nothing changes :(   I just want to curl up and not look anymore. Wear big baggy sweats and hide away from the world.

  It is THAT kind of day. BLECH.  I told you. I warned you. DOOM AND GLOOM. I have another confession.

  This one does not involve Disney shows. My confession: I HATE my body. I hate the way I look. My hair is too curly. And messy. My eyebrows suck. My nose is too big. My skin is too old.  My breasts have shrunk to nothing. My tummy jiggles. My thighs are too big for the rest of my body. Sure, my legs are strong. But they are thick and I hate them.  There is not much redeeming me right now. Ok. So my lips are ok. They are nice and full and not too dry. But thats it . Really.

   Boo. Poop. Thats what I feel like a big (FAT) pile of poop. It is just one of those poopy days. We all have them. Even redheads. So there. That is what I wanted to share today.

  MY big fat selfish, poopy poop day. Maybe tomorrow will be better. I sure hope so. Or the couch and my old Gap sweatpants will be my new best friends.

Future of Nutrition Conference and PaleoCon both start tomorrow: 1/27 #paleo #healthy

Hello Dear Readers:

 Just dropping in to let you know about two very cool events that are starting tomorrow. They are both food related (super important to me right now) and are both FREE. That's right, there is no charge for the online conventions.  I would give you all the details, but since they are both pretty well outlined on the sites, I will just point you in the direction of the Future of Nutrition Conference and The Paleo Conference. Interested in cleaning up your intake? Looking to learn more about the Paleo way of eating. Click away. Register, check out the schedule and then have fun learning!!I am signed up for both and am most interested in :
 Daniel Vitalis :Re-Wilding Our Food, Body and Self: An Inspirational and Practical Approach  from the Future of Nutrition and : Ben Greenfield: Raising Primal Kids  from The PaleoCon.  Please let me know if you do register and find out anything interesting and new!!

I will post my thoughts tomorrow night and all week. :)  Stay healthy,Z

Sponsored Post: Quilted Northern Ultra Soft and Strong #myhineyishappy

 Thanks to the Smiley360 Blogger Program, I was sent a package of products to facilitate this review. I was not compensated for this post, and the opinions within are my own.

Dear Readers:

   I have to admit I am not usually picky when to comes to toilet paper. As long as it is soft and on sale, I usually throw it in the cart. However, I do have my faves. And now, thanks to being able to try out Quilted Northern Ultra Soft and Strong, it has moved to the top of my list. I love it.Super soft. Strong. What else can I ask for?  I headed over to Emily's World and checked out more details. Emily is a cute brunette kid who introduces you the site , where you can play a toy stacking game, get a coupon, and watch cute videos.

• Explore Emily's World, get a coupon and learn more about the strength, flexibility and softness of Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong here: http://bit.ly/1aduylj

Also:

• Like Quilted Northern on Facebook http://on.fb.me/166bgyK

So more about the cool package I received:

• (1) 12 pack of Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong
• (1) Shower gel
• (1) Sponge
• (1) Body Butter Lotion

And they are all amazing. I gave the sponge to Ana (it is a natural sponge, which replaced her older one) and it somehow disappeared for the photo above, ie. the toddler took it to play with). The Alba Botanical body wash is so yummy smelling, it is on my my have list now too!!! 

I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. You can join Smiley360 here!"

Sponsored Review: Airborne Products: Blast of Vitamin C Chewable tablets and Blast of vitamin C for kids!! #airborne #smiley360

Hello Dear Readers:

  This post is sponsored  by The Smiley360 Blogger Circle. I received a package of Airborne Products to help facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and the opinions within are my own.

 As you know Ana and I have been following a healthy lifestyle lately and incorporating small changes here or there. We eat kale and yummy green veggies.   And lots of fruit in the winter. We go outside and try to get fresh air as much as we can on these cold, cold days. And we have been visiting the gym!

 Helping us along in this quest, we have been trying out the Airborne Children's Vitamins. They help with immunity support, which are wonderful to help Ana if she does get run down (and heck, this three year old is like an Energizer bunny, she never seems to get run down).  First we tried the:

Blast of Vitamin C chewables

I like the chewable tablet, it was sour but easy to chew and did not leave much of an aftertaste in my mouth. Ana thought it was too sour, and preferred the gummies, which are made for kids anyway! I have been taking one Blast of Vitamin C daily, and I really enjoy it as part of my vitamin routine, since I stopped drinking juice.

Ana prefers:

Airborne Gummies for Kids

I think she treats them like a special treat. As surely, they remind her of fruit snacks and candy (both very very special treats in this house). I dont have to ask her twice to take her vitamins and many days she reminds me that I have forgotten to give her a vitamin at breakfast. She loves them!!  Both tasted great, and were delicious and nutritious. They are part of our routine, and will be every winter. Check out the links below for a coupon and other fun ways to follow Airborne.

Important Links:

• Check out all of Airborne's flavors and forms here http://bit.ly/1abEpqq
• For a short list of Airborne's various formulations, click here http://bit.ly/163r8Pq
• Be sure to grab a $1.00 digital coupon for Airborne http://bit.ly/1gac7UQ
• Like Airborne on Facebook http://on.fb.me/16ydTKb
• Follow Airborne on Twitter http://bit.ly/1blJY7l

 "I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. You can join Smiley360 here!!: 

Upcoming Group Giveaways (Yay!) Prana Clothing, Crane humidifier and YumEarth Candy

Hello Dear Readers:

 Here are three upcoming group giveaways that I am announcing and looking for fellow bloggers to join in on. If you see any you like, let them know I sent you :)

Z 

1.

Sign up for the: Crane Blue/White drop humidifier with demineralization

Free Sign up!

Prize:

Crane Blue/White drop humidifier with demineralization

Value $60

Info:

-2 FREE Links (Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest)

-Giveaway date:    Feb 24 – March 10, 2014

-Co-host $5.00

10 Links  (no google links)

2 Co-host pages

-Extra links .50 (no google links)up to 4 links

Send payment to melisurveys1978@gmail.com

Sign up here

2.

Sign Up – $100 in prAna Clothing

Free Sign up! 

 

Prize:

 

 $100 in prAna clothing  
(winner pick items)

Info:

-2 FREE Links (Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest)

-Giveaway date:    March 10- March 24, 2014

-Co-host $5.00

10 Links  (no google links)

2 Co-host pages

-Extra links .50 (no google links)up to 4 links

Send payment to melisurveys1978@gmail.com

Sign up here

3.

Sign up – Year’s Supply of YumEarth 

Candy (worth over $100)

Free Sign up! 

 

Prize:
Year’s Supply of YumEarth Candy (worth over $100)


It will include YumEarth Organics Gummy Bears, Lollipops, Fruit Snacks, YumEarth Naturals Sour Beans and more!

Info:

-2 FREE Links (Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest)

-Giveaway date:   April 1 – April 10 2014

-Co-host $5.00

10 Links  (no google links)

2 Co-host pages

-Extra links .50 (no google links)up to 4 links

Send payment to melisurveys1978@gmail.com

Sign up here

Sponsored Flash Giveaway: The Legend of Hercules Movie Poster Autographed by Kellan Lutz #Hercules3D

Dear Readers:

    I am so excited for this giveaway sponsored by:  Lionsgate/Summit. They are supplying an autographed poster for one of my readers to win!!    I love movies that are based on myths, and this is one that will not disappoint. If you loved Kellan Lutz as Emmet Cullen
in The Twilight movies, you are going to love him as he stars in this epic Hercules film.

In the epic origin story THE LEGEND OF HERCULES, Kellan Lutz stars as the mythical Greek hero -- the son of Zeus, a half-god, half-man blessed with extraordinary strength. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom. Through harrowing battles and gladiator-arena death matches, Hercules embarks on a legendary odyssey to overthrow the King and restore peace to the land. In theaters in 3D nationwide on January 10, 2014. Important Links : http://Hercules3DMovie.com http://Facebook.com/Hercules3D http://Twitter.com/Hercules3D http://herculesmovie.tumblr.com/ Also, check out this cool app, that shows scenes from the movie and other fun extras!!!

 Then enter in the easy rafflecopter form below to win an autographed poster for your family!! :

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Poster will be supplied by Liongate, Everything for Ana is not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Sponsored Review: Naked Collection Volume Kit from Herbal Essence #herbalessence

Hello Dear Readers:

 I received a Walmart gift card from Herbal Essence to facilitate this review. The opinions within are my own.

First check out my video and review on how easy it was to order The Naked Collection Volume Kit from Walmart.com over here!!    Then, check out the photos and review below to see how much I love these new products.  My hair smells great, the curls are soft and bouncy, and my hair feels clean and fresh. 

 I have dry, thick, color treated hair and I use products. Lots of products. Though I do not use heat on my hair, I let it air dry, I do love all kinds of gels, mousses and other styling products to lift and separate my curls. I also love leave in conditioners and now I am a big dry shampoo advocate.  I was super excited to try out this great kit.   It arrived in a timely manner and I dug right into it to start using it over the holidays for my photos and family events. 

So, let me recap what was included in the kit:


 Naked Collection Volume Kit Information

- The newest collection from Herbal Essences!

- Herbal Essences just premiered their new Naked Collection; the first commercial aired on December 9^th

- What Herbal Essences is saying about the new Naked Collection:

        - Bare your softest hair with the new Herbal Essences Naked Collection

        - Next time you shower, let your hair get naked too!

- 0% heavy residues, dyes, and parabens

Naked Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

- Restores hair’s natural body.

- Made with zero heavy residues, dyes, and parabens.

- Shampoo provides a weightless clean.

- Conditioner keeps hair detangled, nourished, and full of volume.

Naked Volume Dry Shampoo

- Great for days when you don’t have time to wash your hair.

- Refreshes your look for lightweight, clean hair — even on days when you don’t wash.

- The natural tapioca formula absorbs excess oil and transforms lifeless, oily hair into fresh hair.

- Delights senses with the crisp essence of citrus and mint.

- How to use: Gently spray on and work into roots, brush out as desired.

Naked Volumizing Souffle

- Weightless, volumizing styler gives you a lift for fullness that lasts.

- Delights the senses with a boost of grapefruit and mint.

- How to use: Gently work mousse through wet hair for touchable, natural volume.

Then, a brief video to show you the products in use:

And finally, photos of my hair after using these products for a week or so. (I am still using and am a new convert:

and

I love the scent and the softness of my hair, the grapefruit and mint scent are so fresh and clean smelling. I am a convert and will be using the products for a long time.

Happy 2014 and 40 Before 40!

Hello Dear Readers:

 Wheeeee...let the ride that is 2014 begin.  Even though I should write up a couple new resolutions, I really do not have any yet.

 Instead, I am launching my 40 before 40 adventure. I have 6 months to experience 40  fun, terrifying, adrenaline pumping, and excitement inducing activities.  I have chosen a few, and definitely have a short list. I have booked a couple of classes, signed up for a few more, and am open to many many suggestions.

I cannot wait to get started and will be blogging along with photos, videos and lots of exhaustion.  Let the fun begin!!!And Happy New Year!  I am so glad to be back. Look for fun reviews, giveaways and hopefully ,fun!!!