The Polyvore Files | My Beauty Routine

For the next few weeks, I thought it would be fun to share some of the products I use when getting clean and getting ready each day. Some of the products I just recently discovered, and some I have been using for years. Definitely all of them I love, which is why I decided to share them with you and hopefully you will find some new products you will love also. That certainly doesn't mean that these are the best products out on the market, only products that I have tried myself and work for me. Be sure to share in the comments some of the products that work best for you as well.

Free Beeswax Deuce font from Chelsea over at Chelsea Beeswax.

I wash my face twice every day... once in the morning and once in the evening. One of the very most important things that I have gotten into the habit of is to never go to bed without washing any makeup I wore that day, and always washing my face. Even if I don't wear make up that day, it is still very important to have a fresh and clean face before climbing into bed. I also wash my face in the morning. It helps wake me up and feel refreshed, plus it gets rid of all the "crust". As women, we all know what that is!

Beauty Products I Use: 

1. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser - Super gentle on my skin with no over drying. 

2. Exfoliating Glove - I use this to gently massage away the dead skin. I usually only use this once a day. 

3. Carmex Hydrating Lotion - Amazing for dry skin. I use it on my hands, feet, arms, and legs at night before bed, especially in the winter when I get that winter dry itch. 

4. Carmex lip balm - Got to protect those lips too! I get super wind burn chapped lips in the winter if I don't keep them protected. 

5. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly - EXCELLENT for removing eye makeup. You would be surprised how much more eye makeup you will remove with this as opposed to using those other eye makeup removers. 

6. Q-tips - Used to apply the Vaseline around eyes and remove make up. 

7. Yes-To Cucumber Towelettes - Great for on the go when you need to freshen up, especially after working out.

8. Head wraps and Twistbands - To pull all of this long unmanageable hair out of the way!

9. Hand Towel - For when I am not using my exfoliating glove. I ALWAYS use a fresh towel! Don't want to be putting any dirt back on my face.  

10. Oil of Olay Lotion - Moisturizer for after I wash my face. I have been using this since the day I became old enough to need a daily routine. 

I almost never break out. It is very rare that I do and usually it is because I have been eating a lot of processed foods and sugar. Of course, break outs are partly hereditary as well, but a great beauty routine is always important too. 

What are some of your favorite beauty products?

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Traveling for the Holidays with Yes To

Christmas for us means bouncing from house to house, visiting family, enjoying traditions, and exchanging gifts. We all know traveling can certainly be stressful during the holidays, especially with kids. The excitement of everything plus thrown off schedules can almost make us moms pull our hair out. Even when I'm away from home, taking some time to myself is important. Whether it's getting in my morning run, or a few more minutes in the bathroom, sometimes I just need to destress. I will definitely be packing my travel pouch this holiday season with my favorite Yes To travel size products to refresh and refocus.

 

Will it be the travel size Cucumber towelettes after a workout or either the Yes To Blueberries and the Yes To Grapefruit body washes to wake up your senses? Either way, you are certain to feel refreshed and rehydrated with Yes To natural skin care products.

Not only do you get the benefits of quality products made with fruits and veggies that leave your body soft and smooth, Yes to products are 98% natural and they are dermatologically and opthalmologically tested. They are also oil free, petroleum free, paraben free, and hypoallergenic.

 

Right now, Yes To wants every woman to enjoy some time to unwind during all of the up coming holiday stress. And to help you get started, they're giving away 10,000 mini products in their Mighty Big Mini Giveaway.

Enter to win, then throw Yes To minis in your travel bag, and when you start feeling the pressure, take the time to use them, while being reminded that these special family times only come once a year.

How do you handle the stress of traveling during the holidays?


This post is sponsored by Yes To but my love for their super natural, refreshing products is all my own. 



                    

Fat Butt Friday | What I Eat & Don't Eat

I have had so many people contact me asking me for advice about how I have long my weight and what types of foods I eat. I have done a post similar to this in the past but I thought I would go more into detail what I eat and do to lose weight and keep the weight off.

I will say this before anything... I am not a nutritionist, nor am I a fitness guru, nor am I a doctor. These are things that work for me and don't necessarily work for everyone. Talk to a professional if you are seeking professional information and advice.

The first thing I always tell people is to start taking a multivitamin and drinking nothing but water, coffee, and tea. Coffee and tea, only sweetened with stevia, an all natural, plant based sweetener, and if you must have "cream", use unsweetened almond milk. You just wouldn't believe the difference that one change will make for you. Drinking diet sodas or anything with artificial sweeteners are doing damage to your body. Artificial sweeteners also make you more hungry, kind of the opposite of what we are going for here. I also say to try to establish that one goal before you try to move on to other goals in your weight loss journey. Your goal should be to drink at least half of your body weight in water a day. That seems like a lot but it's what your body needs.

A lot of people assume that to lose weight, they must go on a diet. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to stop going on diets and change the way you eat forever. This is a life long commitment, not a short term journey with an end date. You also need to know that no amount of exercise is going to make up for your poor eating habits. There is just no way you can work out enough to keep off the calories of all the junk and processed foods you consume.

Slowly adding in new goals will help you stay motivated rather than jumping into this blindly and trying to accomplish everything at once. You will burn out and give up and if you are an emotional eater, you will naturally use food to medicate your feelings of failure. Believe me, I know this, because it is exactly what I have done all my life. Even now that I am more aware of my body, I find myself more hungry when I am stressed. It is something you have to learn to recognize and respond to differently. Instead of heading to the kitchen when you are stressed, throw on your shoes and go for a run.

You won't find many people who truly enjoy working out. If we all could stay fit and healthy without working out, I am sure many of us wouldn't do it. I know I probably wouldn't (just being honest). However, I do enjoy running best when it comes to exercise for my body. I don't have a gym membership and I loathe workout videos even though I have done them many times, but I do love throwing on my running shoes and going for a long run. Find a workout that you enjoy most. Don't force yourself to do something day after day if you don't love it. You will get sick of it and you will give up!

Ok, so, the biggest question I get is "what do you eat?". I have people email me on a daily basis asking me this question. People I don't know and have never met want to know. I love getting to know these new friends and never mind giving my advice and words of encouragement. I often wished I had more people standing behind me along the way. I always tell people that I try to maintain a clean eating lifestyle, but often times, those people don't really know what eating clean means. Basically, I just try to eat all foods in their most natural state. That means, lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Here is a detailed list of the most common foods that I typically eat (if it's not on the list, I probably don't eat it, but feel free to contact me if you have questions). I also make many of the foods I eat homemade which is always the healthiest option for you. Some things that I wouldn't typically purchase and eat can be homemade in a healthy version that I will eat.

• ALL fresh fruits and vegetables
• Canned unsalted/unsweetened veggies - I try to stay fresh as much as possible but some items I use often are canned pumpkin, canned diced tomatoes, olives, black beans.   
• Salmon, shrimp, tuna, scallops
• Fresh or ground turkey and chicken
• Black olives and avocado
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Raw nuts and seeds (sunflower, almonds, pumpkin, etc.)
• Bread - unrefined whole grain and in small quantities (1 serving a day)
• Brown rice - small quantities (1-2 servings a week)
• Olive oil and coconut oil
• Cheese - small quantities and preferably mozzarella, goat, and parmesan (2-3 servings a week)
• Quinoa
• PB2
• Unbleached whole wheat flour
• Mustard and honey mustard - great for salads (honey mustard found in the mustard section, NOT honey mustard salad dressing)
• Vinegar
• Baking Soda and Powder
• Unsweetened Cocoa 
• Black Beans
• Popcorn - made in a air popper or in a oil popper using olive or coconut oil (NOT the prepackaged bags)
• Stevia - preferably liquid stevia
• All herbs and spices - with the limitation of salt
• Eggs

This doesn't seem like a huge list of foods, but remember, I said that there are things I make homemade using the ingredients in this list. I am never hungry and I eat all throughout the day. Many people assume that to lose weight, they have to cut back on the amount they eat. In actuality, not eating is causing your body to starve and hang onto the extra fat in foods because it thinks it is starving. Eat! Eat lots! But eat lots of healthy choices. I make the BEST homemade pizza, and we eat it at least once a week (but also in moderation. moderation to me is usually 2 slices)! Use Pinterest to find meals you love that are clean or tweak those recipes that aren't to make them that way.

Remember, this is a lifestyle you must learn to live with, not a diet that has a stopping point. Once you commit to eating this way, regardless of weight loss, you will notice a difference in the way you feel because your body won't be filled with all the toxic chemicals that are often hiding in processed and boxed foods.

Are you trying to lose weight? What has been the biggest challenge/struggle for you?


                    

fat butt friday | an update + banana carrot breakfast cookies

as part of the changes i have made in all aspects of my life, one of the most important ones to me was shedding this extra baby weight. you are probably thinking... "when did she have a baby?" well, umm... almost 4 years ago! ha ha!

i've probably told the story before, but if you are new around here, the story is that i gained a ton of weight with elijah. in the 6 lb. range with my other children, he was a whopping 8 lbs. 9 oz. that was huge for my tiny little 5 ft. even body. but even though i couldn't grow any taller, he sure did a number on my body and at one point i believe i was wider than i was tall. it has been SO incredibly hard to lose the weight. i have tried every diet out there and worked out to no avail. in fact, in the end, when things started to get frustrating for me and i started to sink into a bit of depression, i actually gained weight. my highest was 178 lbs. i'm super short so that is HUGE for me. i had just given up because i felt like nothing was working for me.

although i am not a huge supporter of dietary supplements, someone suggested the V3 pill and after considering it many times, i finally gave it a go. i was desperate for something to work. in the month that i took it, i changed what i drank, what i ate, and even completely gave up certain foods. the V3 basically cleared my head so i wasn't constantly thinking about food. in the past, i felt so hungry ALL THE TIME that i couldn't even think of anything else but my next meal. when i say that out loud, i sound like a drug addict. and in a way, food kinda was like a drug for me.

i used to prepare meals and sit down with my family and think that just eating a smaller portion was going to be what it took to lose weight. but apparently, that wasn't working. sometimes i feel excluded from my families meals, but i kid you not that even what might seem like a healthy meal was skyrocketing my weight. most nights i eat something totally different from them.

so far i have lost 16 lbs.

one thing i have done to help lose the weight is make sure i incorporate a protein and lots of fruits or veggies at EVERY meal. i haven't given up bread, but a sandwich with lots of spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, and jalapenos is something i would normally eat for lunch with a banana on the side. dinner is usually the same or a meat with a couple veggies on the side. so far, the hardest thing to pass up were some garlic potatoes i made just last night. my kids need the extra calories as recommended by their doctor because medicine they take suppresses their appetite (that's another story), so i always load their foods down with butter if i can. that also means, i must stay away. it's hard sometimes!

as for breakfast, my favorites are smoothies or scrambled eggs with lots of veggies. but sometimes, i try to change it up a bit. my kids love my homemade breakfast cookies, so this week, i tried to come up with a new recipe. these banana carrot breakfast cookies sneak in one of my kids least favorite veggies... carrots. and the best part is that i can eat them too!

banana carrot breakfast cookies

ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup carrot pulp
• carrot juice (optional)
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• splash of pure vanilla extract
• dried fruit (optional)

directions

to get carrot pulp, i use my juicer to juice my carrots first. i use the carrot pulp and the juice in my recipe. about 4 large carrots will get you 1/2 cup of pulp. however, if you do not have a juicer, then you can use a food processor to shred your carrots finely. once you have your carrots ready for the recipe, combine all ingredients, except dried fruit, in a food processor until mixed well. once it is all blended well, stir in dried fruit with a spoon. i did not have any fruit this time but have added it before and love it!

either line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use cooking spray to grease your pan. scoop small portions of the mixture, just like regular cookie dough, and place them on the baking sheet. bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. remove from over and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

depending on how big you make them determines how many it will make. i usually make each cookie with 2 tablespoons of mix and eat about 4 cookies. 

if i am not having a smoothie for breakfast, lately i have been loving chai tea. it makes a perfect pairing with these breakfast cookies too!

let me know if you try these cookies. i would love to know what you think!

*i have provided no links or information about V3 because, although i had no problems or side effects, i really don't back dietary supplements and don't recommend them unless it is a complete last resort. feel free to do your own research on this product. 

 ♥ ♥ joni - sixcherriesontop(at)gmail(dot)com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram | bloglovin' ♥ ♥

sponsor spotlight: blissbain

blissbain bar soaps are the only soaps my girls and i use. they are made of all natural products, including coconut milk, goat's milk, and pure tussah silk. i have been using this soap for over a year now and it definitely leaves my skin smooth and hydrated, especially in the winter. i have naturally oily hair and i have even used this soap as a shampoo without it drying out my scalp. 

blissbain has a shop here in NC and a small unfinished website that is not yet accepting orders through that site. she is still establishing her local business and plans to work more on the site in the future. if you are interested in purchasing blissbain products, feel free to contact marsha through the blissbain facebook page, or you can email her at customerservice (at) blissbain (dot) com for a full line of products.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram

pamper yourself: 8 ingredients that feed your skin l dailybuzz moms 9x9

recently, i was over at the burt's bees website and i discovered this list of 8 natural ingredients that feed your skin. so, i hit up pinterest for some great ideas for body scrubs and masks that included all of these ingredients, then whipped them up and had a spa night with myself.

click on the photo above to see the larger original version

8 natural ingredients that feed your skin

• lemon
• pomegranate 
• peppermint
• aloe
• almonds
• sunflower
• coconut
• honey

be sure to click the photo above to read about the benefits of each of these ingredients.



lemon sugar scrub
inspired by this original recipe

originally this recipe called for salt but i felt like it should be a sweet scrub, kinda like lemonade. lemon is one of my favorite scents and i loved slathering this yummy smelling scrub on the rough patches, like my knees and elbows.

ingredients

5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon

mix the sugar and the olive oil together, making sure the sugar is well coated. next, cut a lemon in half and squeeze over sugar and oil, then blend together.



peppermint salt scrub
inspired by this original recipe

this is a great scrub for feet. it makes feet feel soft and the peppermint makes them smell great. before you hit the sack at night, use this scrub, then apply your favorite lotion (or body butter: see below!) and some socks. your feet will wake up feeling great.

for this recipe, i traded out the sugar for epsom salt instead, for the course-ness of the salt that is perfect for rough dry feet.


ingredients

1/2 cup epsom salt
coconut oil
peppermint essential oil

in a bowl, mix the salt with the coconut oil until it is a slightly wet, but grainy mixture. add a few drops of the peppermint essential oil.



sunflower body scrub
inspired by this original recipe

my favorite thing to do with this scrub is rub it on my hands and face.  it is a very pasty formula that makes it great for sensitive areas of the body. it is probably one of my favorites out of all these recipes that i have tried. the recipe doesn't call for essential oils, but i would imagine a citrus scent would make a wonderful addition.

ingredients

1/2 cup epsom salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup sunflower oil

mix all three ingredients together until it is a pasty scrub. i prefer not to use actual powdered sugar, but instead put my sugar in the food processor and blend until it is a powder.



honey coconut body mask
inspired by this original recipe

this recipe makes a great moisturizer for the body. i actually used this on my face and my skin was super soft afterwards.

ingredients

4 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons raw honey

mix together and apply. the oil will separate for the honey so it must be stirred each time prior to use. 

i find that the best way to apply this is with a wooden stick such as a popsicle stick or tongue depressor. the original recipe calls for essential oils, but i did not add it to this because i don't like to put those types of oils on my face. i have very sensitive skin and the two main ingredients do their job.  

avocado facial mask
inspired by this original recipe 

ingredients 

1/2 cup almond or soy milk

2 tablespoons steel cut oats

2 tablespoons avocado

1/2 cup almonds

mix all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

i loved this mask because it has a cooling feeling that doesn't dry out my face. i also has a very pleasant scent that makes you want to eat... almost!

..........

here are three recipes i was unable to recreate at the time, mostly due to resources. pomegranates are usually in season during late fall and winter and i honestly couldn't find anything more than a tiny pomegranate tree, at my local farmer's market, that wasn't ready for picking. i also just discovered that the local farmer's market also sells aloe plants for a pretty reasonable price, so check your local farmer's market as well.

homemade body butter

pomegranate body scrub

aloe vera facial mask

be sure to let me know if you try any of these products, especially the last 3. i would love to know how well they worked for you or any changes you would consider.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: sixcherries