On the subject of acceptance and love (a rant)

I know.

This blog is supposed to focus on fitness, happiness and beauty products I'm obsessed with. Nothing too terribly deep and fun reading. However, there has been a huge issue lately I have seen far too much of: negativity.

You guys know the basics of what I'm talking about. The complaints begin about work, being out of shape, not having enough money, not being pretty enough, skinny enough, curvy enough, and it goes on. It's one thing to complain about your own insecurities constantly, but it's another thing entirely to post hateful things online about others.

I have seen this new trend of "sarcastic spite" as I'll call it all over the internet and invading into friendships. It's where someone does something or likes something, and they are met with constant sarcasm and put downs.

I went through a severe amount of sarcastic spite when I went vegan. I remember being so disappointed in so many people when I'd constantly be asked "Don't you want a burger?" or "Do you really think one person not eating those things will actually ever make a difference?" It was a kick in the gut to have minimal belief in something that I was doing that was not harming anyone else. All I wanted was to explore this new way of eating for me. However, I was totally not prepared for the spite thrown my way. When I stopped being vegan after 9 months, due to my diet being poorly planned and not getting protein where I should (failure on my part, not the diet itself) I was again met with spite. "Well, that lasted long"or "We knew you'd come back to the dark side".

I think our society is becoming far too comfortable criticizing others for fun. Especially when people are trying to better themselves or be closer to who they are truly wanting to be. An example that hit close to home to me was a recent post I saw online about someone who didn't want to "listen" or "see" people posting about training for a long distance race. Something along the lines of "We don't give a damn about your training schedule, so maybe get a life and stop posting about it" Besides the fact I just ran a marathon in March and posted my training journey, I think this was incredibly rude to runners in general. We aren't allowed to be proud of the accomplishments we work hard for? Well, I guess we should all stop posting on Facebook and other social media anytime we have something to be excited about? Kind of crazy talk, if you ask me. Facebook was created to share your life with others/your friends. We need not be judgy about it,people.

I also see this with comparing types of workouts. Calling me or anyone else a "cardio bunny" because I enjoy running over lifting weights is obnoxious. I do strength training as well but that's not all I do. I tried lifting, it wasn't for me. I don't try to change your workout routine, so commenting on how I work out "too much" or haven't really worked out because I don't lift is too much. We are all on our own individual fitness journey and when someone finds something they like and it keeps them healthy, ENCOURAGE them. Don't try to tell them their workouts are not good enough. Also, if someone tells you about this awesome new workout they tried, listen. Don't be waiting to say how you'd never do that or you'd rather just do something else instead. Talk about how great it is that everyone is taking better care of themselves. Invite each other to workout your way just for fun. Do silly workouts like dance cardio where you laugh at yourself. Don't take yourself or your workout too seriously.

My final piece is judging others. We are all guilty of this, but the social media posting of who is wrong and who is right is too much to handle. Let people live their lives and don't post how much you hate them for whatever. Just read the info, have an opinion but don't blast it all over your pages. The world is negative enough people. Lift each other up, support one another, post positive things, and live your life as happily as you can. Life is so so short.

This quote below completely encompasses what I am going for here. Sorry for the rant you guys. Had to get it off my chest.

Fave Five

I am a serious girly girl. I love make-up, hair products, clothes, and lots of pink. I used to stray away from pink because I didn't want to be "that girl" but has since stopped caring about it and embraced my pink loving-ness.

I had a fabulous English professor in college that absolutely loved all of my pink gear. I had a pink laptop, pink Vera Bradley tote, pink fleece jacket/sweatshirt usually, and my pink cell phone. I was straight outta Legally Blonde you guys. She always told me how fabulous I was and how she would always remember my looove of pink. She rocked, and never made me feel silly for my need for pink. It is a shame that so many people can get in our heads and tell us to not like things because it's "too girly" or "too bright". If you don't like my happy colors, you can go back to your grey gloomy cloud. I'm gonna stay right here on my pink (and mint of course) cloud. In your face.

The point of my girly reflection, I wanted to do a post all about my recent make-up favorites! I am huge beauty blog follower, and tend to hear most things from two blogs in particular: The Small Things Blog and Essie Button. Obsessed with these two. They have tutorials for days as well as product reviews. My husband jokingly calls them "my friends" because I watch them daily. If I met them in person, I'd definitely hug them no matter the awkward level. Ladies, you seriously saved my beauty life. I am crazy thankful every time I put myself together for work in the morning with all your tips and tricks. Anyways, I wanted to talk about my current faves I am using at the moment.

1.  Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

I like to think of this cleanser as an old friend. I always get it, adore it, but then think I need something cheaper. WRONG. I never have skin as awesome as when I use this product. Yes, it is pricey, but worth it. The skin on your face is super important to take really good care of, especially if you are using makeup on a daily basis. This stuff melts the makeup off and does. not. burn. eyes. You heard me. It's amazing. Check it out in a sample size at Sephora or Ulta for around $10 and see what I mean. When you wanna commit, go big with a QVC deal. It comes in giant size and lasts forever.

2. Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint

Oh. My. Lanta. These are awesome! I bought one the other day at Ulta, and then ordered a set of four more from QVC. These have an magical minty taste to them and go on super smooth. They last for a looong time, and feel good on your lips. None of this dry chapped business. I will probably buy like 100 more in every shade. No regrets.

3. Urban Decay Deslick Facial Mist

This is probably the best money I have spent on any makeup item in forever. This stuff is no joke. I used something similar at a friend's wedding because another (awesome) bridesmaid had it and shared it with everyone. My makeup did not budge. It was amazing. I have since purchased this and use it in the morning after putting on my face for work. I got home and my make-up looked the same as it did when I left. Let me remind you it is getting into the 80s these days and I take my students out for recess. The. bomb. I've been telling my fellow make up lover co-workers about this.

4. tartelette Amazonian Clay matte palette

I bought this palette a few months ago when it first came out because 1. I looove matte shadows and 2. I had a 20% off coupon from Ulta for anything I wanted, so obviously.

I use a eyelid primer before putting anything on my lids, but I usually use the farthest left shadows all over my eyelid, up to my brow. Next, I usually use the second colors for all over my lid itself, followed by the third color in my crease for definition. Finally, I use the fourth colors as liner, using my slanted liner brush. I usually find myself sticking within the same row, but occasionally I mix them up. This palette trumps my Naked palette, which I thought was impossible. I definitely love all the options and the product quality is awesome.

5. Aquage Root Uplifting Foam

This foam falls in line with the facial cleanser in terms of being an "old friend". I have strayed but always come back to this product when I want root lift. I cut my hair shorter these days than I ever used to and love the lift I get from this product. I had to learn to not be afraid of using a lot of product with this, because the lift you get is amazing, but you gotta be okay with putting a good amount of product in your hair. 

Those were my current "Fave Five". Have you used any of the products before? Did you like them/hate them/love them? Let me know in the comments!

The best breakfast hack I've found so far

I fully enjoyed this Memorial Day weekend in it's 3-days off glory. I love having a little extra time, especially on a weekend considering that's the main time I get to do things I enjoy. This past Saturday morning included sleeping in nice and laaate, as well as a quick breakfast for the husband and I.

I am one of those big breakfast lovers, not going to lie. I love pancakes with syrup and orange juice. Sometimes even a big glass of milk to go with it. However, after adding up all of those calories, sugars, and ooey gooey goodness, it takes a good amount of my daily intake, forcing me to watch every other meal carefully throughout the day. Not for me. I hate counting calories, I'd rather eat when I'm hungry but eat as clean as I can.

So, I present to you, the best breakfast "hack" I have found so far: a banana mug cake with maple syrup, with orange infused water. AH-mazing, you guys. It is basically pancakes with syrup and OJ with a serious fraction of the calories, so you can indulge guilt free.

Ok, so the mug cake looks small, but it is packed with good protein from the clean ingredients and therefore sticks with you!

Here's what is in it:

-1/2 banana

-1/4 cup oats

-1 egg

-2 tbsp milk

-2 tbsp greek yogurt

-Stevia and cinnamon to taste

I mixed all of these ingredients (sprayed my mug with my Coconut oil spray from Trader Joe's ) in a regular mug, microwave it for 1-2 minutes or until your center of your "cake" is not longer runny.

Result?

Amazing and the husband even liked it! Win win. I paired it with a touch of pure maple syrup and cinnamon. I got a little cinnamon happy but I am a cinnamon lover, so it was just fine with me!

My infuser bottle came from the one and only Blogilates! Check them out here.

What is your newest breakfast hit? I know I am really into smoothies, and organic waffles with almond butter lately along with my mug cakes!

Back at it, and loving me some Blogilates

Alright guys,
tumblr is still up and running, but I like a little more s  p  a  c  e to write blurbs and organize them in the order I post them.

I know.

I am type A to the max.

So first things first. I just had stitches in my foot. STITCHES. In the top of my foot. So needless to say, my usual fitness routine has had a damper in it for the most part. No running during this time and I'm steering clear for at least another week or two since the muscles around that particular injured part of my foot are feeling stiff at the moment. I did lace up my gorgeous new running shoes for a 1 miler the other day and it was fabulous. Until my foot stiffened and I had to walk the last stretch. Nothing like a full-blown accident to throw a wrench in your stride. Literally.

I will say I was searching for a low-impact way to get my work outs in during the 12 days of stitches-town and I found the BEST workout I have done in a long time. (I'll get to that).

I was big into Pure Barre last Fall but once my "trial membership" was up, there was no more affording that mess for this teacher. So I waved goodbye to my pretty little studio where I flaunted my adorable leggings with wacky designs at the *obvious* envy of my classmates (Ladies, I get them all at TJ Maxx, thrifty remember?) and said hello again to my pretty decent gym membership where my own complaint is the lack of availability of different classes. Yes they have like every class you can imagine. No, they do not all fit my schedule of needing at work out at 6am on the dot.

Ok, so for the exciting part. THE workout program of workout programs. And wait for it, it's FREE.

I know! I KNOW! Gym membership, you may be left in August when my contract comes up again.

Ok so I have been using the website Blogilates.com for the whole month of May (minus 7 days where I was ordered to be lazy so my foot could heal) and I am in LOVE. Cassey Ho is amazing and so positive. I literally feel so much more positive after her workouts. I notice it on my morning commute, during stressful situations at work, and when I get home from work. I am just happy and calm. Which is so nice, you guys.

Ok, so what is this Blogilates I speak of? Well, it is free youtube video workouts that are organized into a monthly calendar just for you! Crazy that this is free, right?
All the work of organizing and changing up regions so you do not overwork them is out the window. FREE. I do highly recommend the app where you do pay $.99 a month for the calendar and you get a monthly video that isn't online yet as well as positive reinforcement (there's my sped teacher senses tingling) when you check off a workout on the app. A super cute pink box pops up and says "Killed it!" or "Beast!" It's the little things that get me to complete a workout at 6am and these little pop ups are so nice.

I am seriously obsessed and best part? It's a mix of so many different workouts, boredom is literally impossible and she releases a new video every Monday! Also, I am seeing similar toning results that I did with Pure Barre. A-mazing.

I have been telling everyone I know about this girl and probably driving people crazy but I promise you that you are going to love it! Here is a link below to check out one of the videos I did this morning and my legs are dying!

Perfect Legs Workout

I also love how body positive Cassey is. She reminds us that our own bodies are ours to love and I am loving that attitude. Sure, my stomach isn't quite summer ready but I am working on it and she is right there with me. I promote this same stuff to my Girls on the Run team each season, and she is proof about how uplifting this positive talk can be!

Comment below and let me know if you check out Blogilates and how you like it!