Now is this really necessary?

 

I think not.

Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30

K kids.

Here goes.

I just popped in Jillian Michaels' new Ripped in 30 DVD.

Consider me your guinea pig.

I am always curious if those workout routines really work so I figured I would try one and find out for you.

This is a 30 day program. That seems fairly reasonable.
There are 4 different workouts. One workout for each week and they keep getting harder.
She also has a 30 day meal plan to optimize results. I pretty much already follow the diet so yay for me. One less thing to think about.

Addendum:
I just finished the first workout.
I think it might work.
It was only 20 minutes and I was sweating and getting tired. I think I can do 20 minutes a day if I feel it is really working.
I really liked the exercises she did. They were different than other exercises I have done plus she is a great motivator. She is much nicer in her videos than on The Biggest Loser. Probably only because she can't see me doing the moves.
I'll take some before and after shots to see any difference.
'Ere goes!

Clutter-B-Gone

I am trying to get my house decluttered and organized as you know.

Today:

Fridge cleaned out and scoured. Check.

Next up: Pantry....again. :)

Get Some White Teeth

Hello family, friends and fans (<-- haha)

I have been asked a lot lately how I get my teeth so white so I decided to share with all y'alls.

I have never had professional teeth whitening. I've just tried a lot of different things.
I've tried those nasty gel trays that you gag on and the Crest White strips that make my teeth super sensitive and stingy. I don't like those.
So, here is what I do:

1) I avoid beverages that will damage my teeth (alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, acidic beverages). Disclaimer... I do drink fruit juices like grapefruit juice but not very often. These types of products strip minerals off your teeth and allow things that stain to get in and stay there. So even if your beverage is clear (ie: white wines/champagnes or 7-up) it itself will not cause staining but it allows stains (your beet salad or morning coffee) to penetrate your teeth deeper so it can discolor them.  White wine is actually worse than red wine when it comes to staining your teeth!
(Come on....Don't tell me you have forgotten all about your elementary school science project?!) FYI: There are different ways that beverages (and foods) can stain your teeth (ie: not ONLY acidic drinks will do this) so if you are curious to know if something you love stains your teeth, look into it.
And another FYI, if you are thinking that you will just brush your teeth after you have your drink, you may actually cause more harm than good because you could damage your teeth further by scrubbing your vulnerable tooth with roughness rather than letting your natural saliva remineralize and protect your tooth...... interesting.

Moving on.
2) I don't smoke.

3) I chew whitening gums when I have the choice (I do think this helps actually but not the most....wait for it)

4) I brush my teeth at least twice a day with this stuff:

3D White Enamel Renewal by Crest

I love it. I have been using 3D Whitening from Crest for a very long time and it keeps the stains away. I ran out and switched to some I got for free from my dentist (another Crest product I think) for about a month and I noticed a big difference. My teeth just weren't as white as they used to be. After running out of that (waste not, want not...) I switched back to this product (supposedly slightly different to the first one I was using but the active ingredients are the same... whatever).

I noticed just after a single brushing that my teeth were more sparkly and white. I like it. I'll keep it.

Anyway, that's it.

No whitening strips (I tried that a few times forever ago but my teeth were way to sensitive for that so I had to stop- it did work though FYI)

No dentist office whitening sessions.

Now this will not give you the blinding white teeth that I do indeed love. It gives you the whitest smile you can naturally have by removing stains. No bleaching involved.
It works. Try it.

Refreshingly Cool Facial Cleanser

I tried a new facial cleanser today. 

It was pretty much amazing.  It's now my favorite. 

I love it because it tingles and feels really clean and cool on my face. It's an awesome experience.

It was Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. 

I got a small sample from Ulta when I ordered my Big Pony #2 perfume....which I absolutely love by the way.

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser

 

I have been using a facial pore cleanser that burns my face off. I think it's Clean and Clear.

Why do I keep using it?

I don't know.

...actually I do. I don't like to waste stuff but after trying this Biore product I am definitely switching.

{Does anyone want some strong zit-zapping cleanser for free?

 It's really not that bad,,,,just don't let it touch your lips. ha.}  

Anyway, you should try this Biore stuff. It is amAZazing!

Breakfast Drink

My breakfast drink today:

10 ice cubes
1 carrot
Small handful spinach
1/4 scoop whey protein (6 gm)
2 small scoops of orange sherbert
7 frozen strawberries
1 banana
Small handful blueberries
1/2 cup milk
1/2 Tbsp Blue Agave Nectar

This makes 4 cups (roughly 3 servings)

I basically just found a bunch of stuff and threw it into the blender and finished it often with a bit of sweetness. It was pretty tasty.

Agave Nectar is a liquid natural sweetener that has a low glycemic index, as opposed to High Fructose Corn Syrup, so it is absorbed slowly and does not result in the spikes in blood sugar levels like other sugars do. It is the same concept as eating complex carbohydrates rather than refined carbs. It's sweeter than normal table sugar so don't go overboard.

 

Raw honey is also not a bad alternative to table sugar. It's glycemic index is under half of table sugar.
Here is a comparison chart for sweeteners. Again, the lower the glycemic index the better it is