Protein Shakes: Not Just for Bodybuilders!

I am a huge fan of protein shakes. They are not only great as a meal replacement, but they pack a ton of flavor, and more essential to your fitness goal: protein! I use EAS Whey Protein powder. This powder is available in Vanilla and Chocolate, and you can even get the Lite version. I use the full calorie kind, because when I drink these, I usually use my shake as a meal replacement. I've never been a big breakfast eater, unless I skimped on dinner the night before, so this allows me to get my day going with a filling, "good carb" option that really sticks with me until lunch time, and sometimes beyond. Below is the recipe I use. You can tweak this to include any of your favorite fruits. Berries are essential if you want to get your daily dose of fiber in. Blueberries carry the most fiber of many of the berries out there, so I use them.

Protein Shake

1-2 scoops whey protein powder

1/4 cup low-fat/fat-free vanilla yogurt

4-6 medium sized strawberries

1/4 cup frozen or fresh blueberries (frozen are a great choice b/c they don't go bad quickly)

1/2 cup skim milk (2% works too)

1 small banana

1 cup ice cubes

Blend all ingredients but the ice on high in a blender for 30 seconds. Add ice; blend for another 30 seconds. The longer you blend, the smoother the shake.

I found the blurb above in Women's Health: Interesting facts about shakes! Enjoy!

Teeth Whitening for the ADD

So if you are like me, I cannot STAND waiting for ANYTHING. I want results like yesterday. One of the main reasons you will rarely see me in a nail salon b/c I hate waiting over an hour for my nails to be done, plus the extra 15 minutes they have to dry.

Along the same ADD pattern, I have never taken the time or spent the money to have whitening molds made at my dentist. My whole family does it, but I never have. Anyhoo---- this is my solution for whiter teeth, and it's CHEAP and it WORKS! In 5 quick minutes, I can pop the tray in, check my email, and bam- my teeth are whiter! At under $10 (Wal Mart has best price on all cosmetic products period) - this is a great solution!

Have a great weekend, everyone! xoxo

"Over"night Achiever

There's nothing worse than having a good ol' fashioned zit pop up; they always seem to have just the perfect timing, don't they?! Well do not fear: Proactiv Refining Mask is here! This sulfur-based clay mask is a miracle-worker when it comes to zit zapping.The sulfur in the mask is an important ingredient because it helps reduce the tender redness associated with the breakout. Sulfur is also a natural antibacterial and keratolyic agnet, which helps reduce acne bacteria and unblock clogged pores. The white kaolin clay also present in the mask helps absorb excess oil. I use this mask 2-3 times a week at night all over my face, and then dot it on problem areas and keep on overnight. It makes a huge difference in just a few hours, and it's under $20. I recommend buying these products at one of the many Proactiv kiosks that you can find at most major shopping malls. They now even have Proactiv vending machines in many malls!

A Cheap Getaway to Paradise

If you know me well, you know I LOVE a good bubble bath. I especially love a good bubble bath with bubbles that allow me to get out of the tub smelling as good as I feel afterwards. This body wash is the BOMB in the scent department. It reminds me of a mix between coconut, vanilla, and the beach. It also has a granular texture that exfoliates to make your skin more even-toned. So if you do use it as a bubble bath, just make sure you rinse off well before you step out of the tub, or these exfoliants might trail behind a bit on your skin. At under $7 a bottle, this is a steal. No need for perfume on the day you bathe with this stuff!

Popeye's Power Salad!

I get so excited when I share this salad, because it simply is just THAT GOOD! I will fore mention that if you are not a canned tuna fan, this salad can be substituted with or without meat, and with chicken or another fish in place of the canned tuna. I just love the affordability of canned tuna. So here is the recipe:

Tuna Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries

2 Cups Baby Spinach

1 Can Reduced Sodium Tuna

2-3 Tbsp. dried cranberries (Craisins)

2-3 Tbsp. Reduced Fat Feta

2 Tbsp unsalted sunflower seeds

Red Onion (optional)

Walnuts (optional)

Dressing: Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar (use sparingly)

This salad packs in a ton of nutrition and, most importantly, taste. It's filling and will really stick with you until dinnertime! There are all sorts of varieties of this salad that you can come up with. The spinach is a great way to pack in some greens, and the baby spinach is nice for salad because it's more bite-sized. I typically buy my Craisins and Sunflower seeds, and mix them together in the same bag so that when I'm ready to make this, I just reach in and grab a handful of both. You can substitute any dressing you like; however, make sure if you're counting calories you don't glob on a high fat, high calorie dressing, because you are already getting a good dose of calories and fat from the nuts and cheese. Enjoy!

Insta-Arms!!!

Ok, folks. This one is short and simple. Order this DVD, do the Turbo Sculpt workout minimum twice a week, and watch your arms transform themselves. You will notice that you will lose inches overall quickly as well, but the true WOW factor will be seen in your arms. I have friends that can attest to this miraculous workout. The Turbo Sculpt is the best workout on the DVD for insta-arms, but the entire series is great. Stay tuned for more amazing workouts from the folks at Beachbody! Happy sculpting!!!

Exfoliation = Excellent!

So as any avid skincare professional will tell you, exfoliation is the #1 key to more vibrant, radiant skin, as well as clearer and smoother skin. Frequency of exfoliation needed depends on your skin type. If you're like me, and you have oily, acne-prone skin, St. Ives exfoliant pictured here is the ticket! I use St. Ives every morning in the shower, mixed with my favorite cleanser (stay tuned). It only takes a pea-sized amount to whisk away the dead skill cells that accumulated while I slept, and bam! I'm left with a smooth, even-toned canvas onto which I apply my makeup! If you have normal to dry skin, I recommend using the NON-salicylic acid version of this St. Ives exfoliant, and use it two to three times a week. As I mentioned above, I use this DAILY; you should use daily if you can tolerate the abrasiveness. If you cannot, begin with 2-3 times a week and slowly build your way up. I find personally that this, combined with my favorite cleanser, is the perfect combination to keep my skin clear and smooth! Remember, dead skin cells are what can not only accumulate to make us look older, but they are also what dulls our skin and plugs our pores if not removed properly and often enough!