The True Test of Someone's Cleanliness

I'm sure we are all guilty of the "just throw it in there!" panicked statement when people are supposed to be at your house in 20 minutes. Guilty. Whether it's a closet, bedroom, or cabinet, it's all behind closed doors. 

BUT the true test to someone's cleanliness is behind a door that the average American couldn't live without.

The microwave.

Yep, that's right. Go ahead, open yours up. 

Is it gross? Do you live with a man? If so, more than likely your microwave needs a good scrubbin'.

The good thing? This appliance produces some of the best turkey bacon, popcorn and late night leftover pizza anyone can imagine. The bad thing? It doesn't have that handy "clean" button like the oven. 

Womp womp. 

 Take out the glass turn tray and scrub it front to back. I use Honest dish soap and a scrubber.

Now to take on the inside of this crumb and splatter hoarding appliance. I start with a wet paper towel to get any crumbs up and just to give it a good wipe down. I use Honest multi-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth to give it the final clean and shine. 

Don't forget to wipe the tops and bottoms of this where the vents are. Talk about dust collectors! {ew}

Make sure to clean the display and buttons where your dirty paws land.

Ahhhh...It's like the just cleaned feeling you have when you leave the dentist. So fresh and so clean!

Oh yeah, it's ready to take on the world! Or maybe just some bacon. {Same thing} 

So, next time I come to your house, don't be surprised if I open up that beloved appliance door. I'm just checking to see how clean you are. Or better yet, if you read my blog. 

So hurry along, go clean your microwave. 

St. Patty's Day Looks

Sophisticated Green

[Jcrew Lattice Medallion Top]{Gap White Skinny Jeans} (BR Open Toed Bootie) [Coral Satchel] {Iced Tassel Necklace} (Hat)

Barely There Green

[Sheinside Watercolor Striped Pleated Skirt] {Sheinside White Cropped Vest} (Statement Necklace) [Leopard Fold Over Clutch] {Midi Ring} (Nine West Pump)

Laid Back Farm Wedding

This is how you do a wedding ladies and gents. Laid back, on a farm and surrounding by your closest friends and family. This wedding was set on the Groom's families farm/land. Such a beautiful landscape.

My cute mom & dad. 

The bride painted this!

(As you can tell by that date, this post is LONG overdue)

The lonely solider in the shade is my lovely mother. She was so hot & I don't blame her{it was a scorcher}.

Ah here she comesssss....

The beautiful Bride and her father. {stunning}

A ladder was hanging horizontal over the buffet with hanging vases. Such a neat idea!

Loved her centerpieces! They can reuse the boxes for organizing!

DIY ring toss. {so crafty she is}

 

So intense, if you couldn't tell. Backyard giant jenga = genius. 

The bride in her beautiful dress breakin' it down! Get it gurrrll.

Sorry for the much delayed post, but I've been a busy bee planning my own wedding! AH!

My Truth About the 24 Day Challenge

I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet. 

I'm sure many of you have heard of the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge. Are you skeptical like I was? Here is MY truth about the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge.

My cousin, that is probably one of the most healthy-conscious people I know, brought it to my attention. If she knows it's safe and healthy, then more than likely, it is! She was instagramming progress pictures and meals all the time. Wait, meals? YES you can actually eat FOOD on this "diet".

It's not that I think I'm fat or need to lose weight. There's just been a lack of confidence that I wanted to bring back! So... I said "what the hell" and gave it a shot!

Each 24 Day Challenge includes:

• One box of Herbal Cleanse-Citrus (Day 1-10)
• One bottle of OmegaPlex®
• One box of AdvoCare Spark®-Mandarin Orange
• One box of AdvoCare Spark®-Fruit Punch
• Your choice of one box of Meal Replacement Shakes - Chocolate Mocha, Chocolate, Vanilla, Berry or Vegetarian Dark Chocolate
• Your choice of one box of MNS® Max 3, C, or E
• Clean eating plan
• Food shopping guide
• Recipe Suggestions
• Daily Checklists
• Coaching

Days 1-10 Cleanse Phase
The first ten days are about cleansing your body of toxins and preparing for optimal nutrient absorption, and you may enjoy weight loss as well!

• Herbal Cleanse-Citrus: helps to cleanse and detoxify your body.
• OmegaPlex®: essential fatty acids for increased overall wellness.
• AdvoCare Spark®: nutritionally-advanced energy

Days 11-24 Max Phase
Give your body the best tools you need to achieve your next weight management goal during days 11-24!

• Metabolic Nutrition System (MNS®): Your choice of Max C+ (appetite control), Max E+ (energy), or Max 3 - for weight management, appetite control and overall wellness.
• Meal Replacement Shake - your choice of chocolate mocha, chocolate, vanilla, berry or non-dairy dark chocolate: Complete nutrition in a great-tasting shake!
• AdvoCare Spark®: nutritionally advanced energy

Here's what you need to avoid:

Sugar

Alcohol

Cheese and mushrooms (both are "molds" and will keep toxins alive)

White foods/starches (bread, pasta, rice, crackers and chips)

Sauces and dressings

Canned fruits and vegetables

Sodas and energy drinks

Fatty foods, fried foods, fast food and meat with breading

Here's what you can eat (and way more):

Fresh/raw fruits and vegetables

100% whole grain rice and quinoa

Chicken, fish, turkey breast and ground turkey

Almond milk, rice milk

Healthy fats: avocado, olives/olive oil, raw nuts and seeds

Almond and peanut butter

Beans and lentils

Chicken or vegetable broths

Eggs

Sweet potatoes

Hummus without the oil

Herbal teas

Garlic, spices, herbs, fresh salsa, taco seasoning (low sodium)

After 10 days you can introduce 100% whole grain pasta and bread

I did the whole 24 Day Challenge and I cheated only a couple of times. :) I may have had a couple of glasses of wine 2 nights and I think I also might have had cheese one day too {my weakness}. My point is, you don't have to be so strict on yourself with this diet, but the best results come from following the plan to a T. The average weight loss is 5-20lbs depending on your starting weight. I lost 5lbs and several inches.

Here's what I loved about the 24 Day Challenge:

I gained a TON of energy

I starting sleeping a whole lot better

I gained muscle and lost weight!

I learned a healthier lifestyle

It motivated me to exercise {no joke!}

I now eat 5 small meals a day

I learned my food portion for my body weight

I now know healthy recipes that are DELICIOUS!

I lost inches in the one place that bothered me the most {upper thighs}

I will leave you with this last experience that I had after completing the 24 day challenge:

One morning when I was getting ready, I was ironing my clothes for work in my underwear {sorry for the visual} and my BF walked past me and said "Damn you did lose a bunch of weight!"

WAIT, WHAT??? HE NOTICED??

Sorry, but my man is the type that doesn't notice when I cut my hair or clean the kitchen or change our decor in the house. He doesn't ever notice. EVER. I was shocked and amazed. I did it. I accomplished my goal. 

Now my goal for 2014 is to stick with it. The AdvoCare products are for real and they are changing lives everyday. 

Do you have resolutions for 2014 that you haven't started yet? JOIN ME with the healthier lifestyle and I will coach you through the 24 Day Challenge!  It is ON SALE for $175 through January 21st! Click here to purchase

Baby Gender Reveal

Having a gender reveal party?

Here's a different idea than the typical cut the cake reveal.

A good friend in my office was finding out what she was having today! I work with all women, so of course we were all so excited and just as antsy as her. Since it's around the holidays and we have cookies and treats galore in our breakroom; I wanted to do something besides a cake for her. 

I found this lady that took old chenille bedspreads and made stuffed animals out of them for kids. My friend has a Westie dog, so I thought this was PERFECT! 

I tied a blue and pink bow around the neck of the dog and came up with this little rhyme. 

Now that you have healthy baby Kunz (their last name) in tow, it's time to reveal the right colored bow!

I have to admit, that's pretty dang cute!

We took a vote in the office to see what everyone thought...

2 people thought it would be a boy and 5 people thought it would be a girl!

We were all so anxious waiting for her to get to the office after her doctor's appointment! About 9:35am rolled around and we saw her pulling in! AHHHH the patience was wearing thin!

AND

THE

RESULT

IS

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

IT'S A BOYYYYY!!!!!

AH We are so excited for them!! Congrats & we can't wait to meet baby boy Kunz!

Easy Quick Oatmeal

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Heard that before? That's because it's true in many ways. You should eat within 30 minutes to an hour of waking up to jump start and maximize your metabolism for the day. Throughout the day you should be eating small meals and snacks every 3 to 5 hours. Portion control people. Portion control. This does not mean a Thanksgiving meal every 3 hours. 

Shape Magazine explains the importance of eating breakfast: "Skipping breakfast or eating too little forces your body to switch into conservation mode and burn fewer calories, which means you're more likely to hang onto body fat."

Higher protein breakfast leads to reductions in hunger and less eating later in the day. SOOO here's where I come in!

I have an easy peasy oatmeal recipe for you!

Here's what I used:

{keep in mind I'm bad at remembering to measure}

100% Whole Grain Oats (amount you want to make)
Whole Flax Seeds (hand full)
Sliced Almonds (about 1/2 cup)

Organic Seedless Raisins (amount is your preference)

Ground Cinnamon (guesstimate- you can add more later)

Put it all in a large canister/storage container and give it a shake. Work those biceps! Shake, shake, shake... shake your boootayyy. Wait. What?

Focus. You can also put this in individual baggies to take to work.

Scoop desired amount into a mug (remember portion control!)

I added a little water and then a little almond milk. 

Pop it into the microwave for about 40 seconds {in reality I did 37 seconds because I'm weird and everything has to end in a 7 or 1}

ENJOY!

Oats= Dietary Fiber & Protein

Flax Seeds= Omega-3, Legnans & Dietary Fiber

Almonds= Fiber, Protein, Vitamins & Minerals

Raisins= Antioxidants & Vitamins

The Aisle File Engagement Gift Idea

Here is my quick & easy engagement gift 

"The Aisle File"

The file allows them to keep all of the wedding things in one place. Notes, lists, contracts, invoices, contact info etc. 

Supplies that I chose: 

Last Name initial letter of the newly engaged couple (Hobby Lobby)

A bridal magazine {this one came with a bonus honeymoon guide} (Target)

 Notebook & Pens to start the lists and planning (Target)

2 mini bottles of Korbel Champagne  (Liquor Store)

One magazine file box (Target)

Select Your Tissue Colors {these are what I had on hand}

One for the Bride & one for the Groom

Choose a font you like, print and cut it out. That simple!

I made this tag in PowerPoint. I drew a rectangle and filled it with this picture. Added text to say "Congratulations On Finding your Perfect Match!" Tied it with some string I had and ta-da!

The "H" wouldn't fit in the box, so I left it out to the side.

Top View

This is a super easy and DIY gift idea that any bride-to-be will appreciate!