Tumblr Workouts and Healthy Eating

I am terrible with blogs. However, I have been making progress. I have two now. This one and my Tumblr. I found it easier to upload workout links and healthy eating links and I can do it straight from my phone (which is another plus). I will still post workouts and healthy eating here too for the fact that not everyone likes swapping to different blogs just to catch up on something and there are more people on blogger. =)

Not to mention that I can link my tumblr to pinterest and target a different audience. =)

So, if you're curious or have a lot of time on your hands, please jump on over by clicking here.

Brush cleaning!

Number one rule of makeup: CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES! This cannot be stressed enough! Brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs that cause breakouts and other skin problems.

 Below are some photos I took while cleaning mine just to show how dirty they get! I recommend doing this a couple times a week.

 Step one: Dish detergent and olive oil. To clean and to keep the bristles soft. Squeeze a quarter size amount of detergent and a dime size amount of oil onto a plate. You can use any brand of detergent and oil.

Before the cleansing of the brushes

Step two: Pablo Picaso the plate with the brush until satisfied and rinse with warm water. Repeat if necessary. 

This brush went through 3 cleanings like this.

After. So fresh and so clean clean! 

Banana Oatmeal and Green Smoothie

I love smoothies. When I say love, it's an understatement. I am infatuated with smoothies in a non-weird kinda way. I always drink a banana oatmeal smoothie before a workout for energy and a green smoothie for lunch. Here are the ingredients.

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie:

1 banana
1/2 cup dry oats
3 tbsp BP2 or any other nut butter
I usually fill the rest with cold water or almond milk. Either is fine.

Blend until smooth.

Green Smoothie:

1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 stalk chopped celery
1 chopped apple (without core of course)
1/2 to 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
1 packet stevia

Blend until smooth.

Enjoy!

Stickin with it

This diet has been extremely hard for me to stick too. Like everything, I get bored with something and move on, which will explain why this blog is so all over. I have so many things I enjoy that  I do not know what I want my blog to be about; i.e fashion, shopping, hair and makeup, diet, family, food ect.  However, with this diet, I have seen results, so it makes me want to stay with it. I am not totally where I want to be yet but I am getting there. I have been following the beautiful Taralynn over at Undressed Skeleton and using some of her recipes. She is so encouraging and motivational, can't help but love her!

The picture I have inserted is a before and now photo. From the time I started this diet (last February) to this day. Keep in mind, I have went off and on this diet numerous times. I fall off the bandwagon quite often, gain some weight back, get depressed, and start again. Binge eating/ emotional eating doesn't help at all.  It's a never ending cycle of sadness. I know it may not seem like much, but to met, it's a whole other person.

My diet on a daily basis consists of:

 Breakfast- Oat revolution oatmeal and half of cup fresh fruit or bowl of special K cereal with half    cup of fruit. Usually 3 (or more depending on my morning) cups of coffee.

Snacks- fresh fruit or veggies and/or fruit and cottage cheese. Sometimes I go for a fruit smoothie or a   banana/oatmeal smoothie (usually following a workout) with 2 tbsp of PB2, a healthier peanut butter. Sometimes I like to eat non-fat greek yogurt and add a tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder with a packet of stevia just to fulfill that chocolate craving.

Lunch- garden salad with boiled egg or turkey wrap

Dinner- 4-6oz protein with lots of fresh steamed veggies. Sometimes I reach for the Boca Vegan Burger patties. To me, a strong loving carnivore, these taste better than hamburgers. Keep in mind the buns you choose make a difference too. I use Rudis Organic Whole Wheat  hamburger buns. 22 grams of whole grains per bun!

Of course any of this can be changed up.  This is what I try to stick with but like I said before, routine can get boring. There are many options and many healthy foods that actually taste good out there.  The only thing I would recommend is looking at the ingredients on everything you purchase or put into your body. I TRY not to put anything in my body with ingredients I cannot pronounce.

I hope this helps you if you're on a weight loss journey. I know how hard it is but there are many people cheering you on! Keep up the hard work and you CAN reach your goal!  Feel free to give advice or what you find easier to stay on track, or leave any good recipes for me to try so I can try to stay on track too!