HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 30

December 30th Day 30:  Yesterday I walked for two miles.  I noticed after this 30 day challenge that I am sleeping better at night and I seem to have more energy.  I've also noticed that my immunity is higher because I've been around people who have coughs and colds and so far I have not caught any this winter.  I had a small cold earlier in the season but it wasn't bad and didn't keep me down.  I didn't get the stuffed nose or sleepless nights.  I had some congestion in my chest but that was about all.  I think the consistent exercising does help keep your immune system working better.  The combination of exercise with trying to make better food choices could be helping in that area as well.   As you can guess I would like to continue with another 30 day challenge for two reasons, one I have a good momentum going and two I'm still participating in the HBBC (Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge) and would like to keep track of my exercise and food intake.  If you are up for the challenge lets keep it going!  After the New Year Holiday I'll start posting for our next 30 Day Challenge. Congratulations to all who have been following along, lets keep it going into 2012!

      I ate a salad, some homemade salsa, some tomatoes, some guacamole, two servings of steamed broccoli, a fruit dish with pineapple, cherries, mangoes and some cantaloupe.  I drank 100% fruit juices with two of my meals.  I made the 7 servings of fruit and vegetables yesterday.


                                                                   steamed broccoli

                                                                        guacamole

                                                                        salad

        
                                                                        Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.


      I earned 2 points for my walking and 1 point for eating 7 servings of fruit and vegetables in the HBBC challenge.


  


     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.

Earrings for New Year's Eve

    Last week I put together some potential dresses for New Year's Eve.  This week I wanted to put together some ideas for earrings.   I found some  pretty earrings, which ones do you like best?  What pair would you choose to ring in the new year?



                                                       Sapphire with Diamond Earrings

                                                                     Pearl Earrings


                

                                                                    Blue Topaz Diamond Earrings

                                                                      Rose Pearl Earrings

                                                   Yellow and White Gold Crossover Hoop Earrings

                                                                     Martini Earrings

                                                          Swarovski Earrings

                                                                  Monaco Earrings

    No matter what style you like, earrings can add a finishing touch to any look.  They can also add glamour and beauty to any ensemble.  This week I'm linking up with Blonde Episodes for Fashion Friday.  If you would like to join the blog hop, see Kori's post for details and read about her New Year's Style.  Just click on the button below to get to Kori's post. Happy Fashion Friday!

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 29

December 28th Day 28:  Yesterday I rode my stationary bike while watching repeats of "Grey's Anatomy" with the following stats:


Time on the bike: 60 minutes and 43 seconds
Distance: 12.07 miles
Speed:  between 11.5 - 12.5 mph
Total Calories burned: 297.10
Total Fat Calories burned:  92.80

                                                                          Stationary Bike

     I ate a salad, some homemade salsa, two servings of pico de gallo, an avocado and drank 100% fruit juices with all meals.  I also drank a smoothie made with frozen fruit and orange juice after my workout.  I made the 7 servings of fruit and vegetables yesterday.

                                                   A present only Meredith could appreciate.

                                                                                 McDreamy

                                                                              McSteamy

                                                               Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.



     I earned 4 points for my stationary bike workout and 1 point for eating 7 servings of fruit and vegetables in the HBBC challenge.



     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.

Victoria's Voice - Follow Me Friday Blog Hop

For anyone who has a Google + account and wants to join the Follow Me Friday Blog Hop click the link below (Victoria's Voice) to enter your blog! Google + is growing fast and for those who have Wordpress in March 2012 you will no longer be able to have followers via GFC. Google + will allow you to keep your following and if you are new to Google + this is a chance to get more followers.

                                                                  Victoria's Voice

Enter the "Pinning" on the Glitz With Tarte Sweepstakes

    As you know one of my favorite cosmetic companies is Tarte.  I've written reviews on some of their wonderful products and I use them daily. If you are a regular reader of my blog you also know that I am a fan of Pinterest.  Tarte is also on Pinterest and through January 6, 2012 at  11:59:59 EST you can enter their "Pinning" on the Glitz With Tarte Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of ten Tarte puttin' on the glitz limited-edition color collections (a $48 value).  Just click on Maureen's pin from Pinterest below to see the steps to follow so you can enter the sweepstakes.  Have fun creating your boards on Pinterest.  And remember to follow Tarte and Healthy Living Natural Beauty on Pinterest!

    If you want to read my review of Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Matte Lipstain, click the picture below.  This is one of the first Tarte products I purchased and they have led me to try out more of their wonderful products.

                                                                Good Luck!

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 28

December 28th Day 28:  Yesterday I walked for one mile.

    I ate some strawberries, tomatoes, bell pepper, raspberries and drank a smoothie.  I also drank 100% fruit juices with all 3 meals.

      I earned 1 points for the walk and 1 point for eating 7 servings of fruit and vegetables in the HBBC challenge.



     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.

Stability Ball Exercises

    Here are some good exercises to try if you have a stability ball.  I might start to incorporate some of these exercises into my 30 Day Challenges.  These are more advanced moves, but if you have been using a stability ball you might want to try out these exercises for a challenge.  These are from Women's Health Magazine and are good for core strength and for strengthening your abs.

Get Flatter Abs -- Advanced Level

Get abs with this exercise ball workout plan

Stability Ball Reverse-Hyperextension2

SETS = 4

REPS = 10-12

Lie face down with your torso and hips resting on the ball, and place your hands on the floor in front of you for balance. Raise your legs so that they're even with your body. Keeping your toes turned out, squeeze your glutes and lower back to extend your straight legs up to the ceiling. Lower to the straight position, and repeat.

Quick change: Squeeze your glutes and hold for a few seconds at the top of the move for an added burn.

Back-Rollout2

SETS = 4

REPS = 10-12

Kneel in front of the ball and place your hands on top of it, shoulder-width apart, arms straight. Roll the ball out in front of you, keeping your core tight. The ball can roll under your forearms at this point. Roll the ball back to start.

Swiss Ball-Twist2

SETS = 4

REPS = 5

From push up position, place your shins on a stability ball so that you straddle the ball knees-to-ankles. With abs held tight, slowly roll your knees to the left, then use your obliques to roll your knees back to the start. Repeat to the other side.

Free Gooseberry Patch Chili Cookbook

        Here is another great free cookbook with some wonderful chili recipes.  I noticed they also had a recipe for Tortilla Soup in this one as well.   If you like making your own chili to watch football or just for Sunday gatherings, this is a good one to get.  These recipes look so delicious!

Free Gooseberry Patch Chili Cookbook Kindle Edition

Free sample: Get a free Kindle download of the Gooseberry Patch Chili Cookbook.

How to get it: Download the Gooseberry Patch Chili Cookbook Kindle Edition for free on Amazon.com. If you don't have a Kindle, you can click this link to download free Kindle Reading Apps.

* Download your free Kindle Edition of the Gooseberry Patch Chili Cookbook now!

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 27

December 27th Day 27:  Yesterday I stepped it up a little with my stationary bike because I did eat more goodies over Christmas so I wanted to do a little bit extra last night.  I rode the bike while watching the "Kennedy Center Honors" with the following stats:


Time on the bike: 74 minutes and 48 seconds
Distance: 15.09 miles
Speed:  between 11.5 - 12.5 mph
Total Calories burned: 369.10
Total Fat Calories burned: 115.30

                                                                Stationary Bike

 

     I ate a salad, some homemade salsa, some pico de gallo, had some veggies with rice at lunch, an avocado and drank 100% fruit juices with all meals.  I also drank a smoothie made with frozen fruit and orange juice after my workout.  I made the 7 servings of fruit and vegetables yesterday.




    The Kennedy Center Honors this year were awarded to Meryl Streep, Sonny Rollins, Yo-Yo Ma, Barbara Cook and Neil Diamond.

                 Caroline Kennedy came out on stage for Neil Diamond's tribute song Sweet Caroline. 

                                        The Honorees of the Kennedy Center Awards 2011.

                                                              Pictures courtesy of Pinterest and CBS.com.
                     


      I earned 5 points for my stationary bike workout and 1 point for eating 7 servings of fruit and vegetables in the HBBC challenge.



     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.

Focus Blend - Aromatherapy

 

                                                                        Picture courtesy of Pinterest.



    Here is a video from Noelle Katai from the Veria Channel.  This is a good one if you are having trouble focusing on a task at hand.  Especially after the time off for Christmas, you might find it hard to jump back into the tasks at work.  With this blend of essential oils and a diffuser for your office space, you can find your way out of that foggy feeling.   Give this Focus blend a try!

Note:  You can turn off or mute my blog music on the right hand side with the music player before viewing the video.

Tip of the Week - How to Make Natural Curls With a Curling Iron

                                                                      Picture courtesy of Pinterest.

    Here is another one minute makeover from Self magazine.  In this video you will see a tutorial on how to make natural looking curls with a curling iron.  If you have straight hair and want to change it up, give this video a try it's quick and easy.

Note:  You can turn off or mute my blog music on the right hand side with the music player before watching the video.

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 26

December 26th Day 26:  Yesterday I worked on exercises while watching repeats of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" with the following stats:

Biceps Curls with 3 lbs 12 reps 5 sets
Triceps Press 3 lbs 12 reps 5 sets


Inner Thigh Kicks 12 reps 3 sets
Outer Thigh Kicks 12 reps 3 sets
Reverse Leg Kicks 12 reps 3 sets

                                                                       Inner Thigh Kicks

                                                               Outer Thigh Kicks

   I ate some tomatoes, peppers, a salad and drank 100% fruit juices with all 3 meals. 


    The band tries out for Pandora's wedding.  Lisa, her daughter and future son in law liked what they heard.  The band sounded great, it looks like Pandora is going to have a beautiful wedding!

    Pandora and her finance are practicing for their first dance and husband and wife! I hope we get to see the wedding on the show!

                                                              Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.  


      I earned 1 point for my exercising in the HBBC challenge.



     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 25

For Christmas I decided to take a day of rest and celebrate the holiday.  Every now and then we all need a break and a chance to do something different.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

                                                               Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.

Wishing Everyone

                               AND

                                                            AND

                                                            Pictures courtesy of Pinterest. 

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 24

December 24th Day 24:  Yesterday I walked for 1 mile.

    I ate some strawberries, some tomatoes and some raspberries.  I also drank 100% fruit juices with all 3 meals.

      I earned 1 point for my exercising in the HBBC challenge.



     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.

HLNB Exercise & Core Strength Challenge II - Day 23

December 23rd Day 23:  Yesterday I worked on exercises while watching "Erin Brockovich" with the following stats:

Biceps Curls with 3 lbs 12 reps 5 sets
Triceps Press 3 lbs 12 reps 5 sets


Inner Thigh Kicks 12 reps 3 sets
Outer Thigh Kicks 12 reps 3 sets
Reverse Leg Kicks 12 reps 3 sets

    I ate some strawberries, raspberries and drank 100% fruit juices with all 3 meals.

                                                                    Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.




      I earned 1 point for my exercising in the HBBC challenge.



     See my contact information on the tabs above if you want to send me an email with any questions or suggestions.  With my "Exercise and Core Strength Challenge" I'm logging my daily activities of how I keep moving.  I'm not offering any medical advice or making any guarantees.  This is meant for fun and if you want to follow along I hope it will be fun for you too.