Skincare Routine

I had planned to post this yesterday, but Adam ended up being home last night {whoop whoop!} so we spent the evening playing Monopoly instead.  Which means I will post about our BVI trip next week. 

This was going to be broke into two posts, morning and evening, but I realized it isn't a whole lot different, so I'm putting it all together.  The last time I shared my skincare routine was in 2018.  I was dealing with frequent breakouts {thanks kids} for the first time in my life and had finally got it under control.  Last year I worked really hard to switch out products for cleaner versions, so this is where I'm at.  I'm sure it's not as green as it could be, but I know for certain that's better than it was and that makes me feel good.

In the mornings I use toner and then apply a few drops of Yorrow|Pom before applying my makeup for the day.  At night, I use just use cleanser and then add Yorrow|Pom.  If I still have a fair amount of makeup on {if I reapplied throughout the day, rare, but does happen occasionally -- a date night, wedding, etc.} I will use coconut oil to remove my makeup first and then the cleanser and moisturizer.

First off, even though I drink a ton of water, my skin is similar to a snake.  Ugh!  So, after I get out of the shower and each night before bed I apply this body butter.  It is pure magic!  It's not heavy and it actually moisturizes!  Before I get dressed for the day {if I didn't shower that morning} I spray myself with this hydrating body mist.  I love this stuff.  I also use it as leather hydration for my purses. :)

*The downside to many of the products I use is that they have to be ordered online though a doTERRA account, so you can just run to the store and get them.  However, I find the benefits to outweigh the hassle.  I am a doTERRA rep, however I'm only signed up for the discount and that was not the intent behind this post.  That being said, if you don't have access to doTERRA and would like products at cost, I'm happy to order something for you.

15 Minutes for ME

It's been two years since I committed to doing something for my sanity self each day, and I loved it so much I've been doing it ever since!  Some days it's just listening to my favorite podcast while folding laundry and other days it's sitting in the massage chair and catching up on a show, but each day I spend at least 15 minutes on something that makes my soul happy.  Now is the time to carve out 15 minutes each day for yourself.  To do whatever makes your heart happy.  Here is how...

If you don't make time for yourself, no one else will.  And we all know...if mama aint happy, no one's happy!  Use the fancy bubble bath, eat the chocolate, let the laundry fluff an extra day. ;)

RAGBRAI | 2015

Last Friday, my two sisters and I rode RAGBRAI.  Even though this race started in the 1970's and I'm an Iowa native, this was my first time riding RAGBRAI.  Luckily, both of my sisters have rode the entire week previously, so they prepped me as much as you can.  Alicia completed the full week in 2012 {hottest RAGBRAI on record & 2nd longest route} Ashley completed the full route in 2013 and has rode a few days each year since.  

For those of you unfamiliar with RAGBRAI, it's a {pedal} bike ride across Iowa in one week.  The route changes every year this year happened to be 481.5 miles from start to finish.  Friday, the day we rode, was from Hiawatha to Coralville {65.6 miles with 2955 feet climb} 

Alicia and I had planned to ride Friday for a while {although we didn't commit until the day before} but Ashley didn't decide to ride until 5pm the afternoon before, when I went to her house to grab bike shorts and convinced her to join us {she already rode Monday - Wednesday}.  So, with no notice she dropped everything and we headed to Alicia's house {just over 2 hours away}.  We parked down the street and rode up to her Alicia's back patio to surprise her.  We ended up driving to our friend Hailey's house to spend the night since it would be closer to the start the next morning.

via Instagram

Since I hadn't trained at all {w/ the exception of pulling the kids two miles on two separate occasions!} I was pretty nervous!  We woke at 4:30 to get ready, drive to 'tent city', and start biking by 5:30a.  The first leg was 16.1 miles and went really good.  We watch the beautiful sunrise and before we knew it, we were at Whittier.  At this point, I was only concerned about my butt because OMG it HURT!  Like BAD!  I struggled getting off my bike!  Whittier was a TEENY TINY 'town' that really didn't offer much, but I did split a breakfast sandwich with my sister.  This was a quick stop and we were on our way to Springville.  Springville was just 3.3 miles up the rode and we debated about stopping at all, but this town was happening.  It really put me in the RAGBRAI mood.  Good music {& dancing - before 8a!} and lots of food.  I had a half an order of scrambled eggs with cheese here.  At this point we comment that it's almost a little chilly out, but I refuse to complain because I thought it was going to be 97* and sunny, which would be worse!  We continue 10.7 miles to Mount Vernon and stop again.  This town was hopping!  TONS of fun!  Lots of live music & food.  Ashley and I split an order of mini donuts & cheese balls.  I take a video of a band that is playing tons of songs that Adam's band plays and send it to him.  Ashley decides to call for Hailey to pick her up at the next stop.  On our we out of town we stop at OneMission and I get a cute shirt.  We rode two more miles to Lisbon, and to be honest I don't think we even stopped.  I can't remember this town, I think it was basically just connected to Mt. Vernon.  We did stop at Sutliff Cider 2.4 miles later just long enough to check our phones.  The local news had sent a text about the bad storms headed our way and our dad text giving us a heads up, too.  We knew where we were and where the storm was, so we thought we could out run it if we kept going.  So we got on our bikes and headed out even though we really wanted to stop for a drink and to enjoy the music for a bit.  There were tons of people dancing and having a great time.  Right as we left Sutliff it started raining.  It was pretty light, and didn't feel too bad.  The one difference once we left Sutliff and headed to Solon was that the hills became less 'rolling hills' {which we had experienced most of the morning} and more HILLS.  As we rounded the final corner coming into Solon, the rain let loose and the lightening started cracking.  Luckily, we were just getting ready to stop for lunch anyways.  Alicia grabbed a sandwich and sweet corn and I picked up a piece of pizza and a Mt. Dew and we waited out the storm.  Or attempted to.  About 30 minutes in, after talking to other RAGBRAI-ers, we decided to call it.  The final 20 miles were really hilly, I'm {VERY} inexperienced & there were so many bikes on the road, we just felt it wasn't worth the risk.  So, just 20 miles from the 'finish line', I waived the white flag. 

Of course, just as Ashley came to get us, it started clearing off and Alicia and I both commented that we wanted to keep going.  But since we already had Ashley come down to get us, we didn't want to make her turn around and go back to Iowa City.  At first I was, okay, I still am, pretty bummed to quit.  My only goal was to finish, and I didn't. BUT I will say that it was so much fun to experience that I will definitely be doing a day or two again.  It was cool to learn the lingo, and see riders of all ages and types, but the comradery of the entire group was the best thing of all.  I can't tell you how many times my eyes filled with tears over the sweetness of all of these people.  They're constantly looking out for their 'teammates'.  Blown tires, wrecks, hills ahead... they're right by your side helping and encouraging, whether they had been riding together for years or just a few minutes.  

Personal stats - Year 1

45 miles rode

30 mph - fastest speed

0 wrecks/blown tires from me

I learned the lingo & how to shift gears

I also learned the importance of bike shorts!!! :)

Skincare Regimen | 2015

Okay, I'll admit this isn't the most interesting post, I'm so not into beauty & fashion, but I've recently had to change my skincare regimen up a bit.  For some reason I never really dealt with acne as a teenager, or even in college, but since having children and working out more, I seem to be getting more and more acne.  I use the term acne loosely, because I know people have it much worse than me, but my chin tends to be a problem area -- largely because when I'm at work {thinking} I have a habit of putting my hand to my chin. Anyways...my favorite products in order of usage...

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleanser :: I purchased this a VonMaur, but I'm sure anywhere that carries Clinique {most department stores} would have it available.  This is a liquid that turns foam when it pumps.  I LOVE this.  If I used only one face product, it would be this.  It leaves my face feeling incredible! $20

Up & Up Eye Makeup Remover :: I totally forgot to picture this, but I'm not too picky about my eye makeup remover, so I use the cheap stuff from Target.  $2.50

 Arbonne Genius Nightly Resurfacing Solution :: This is a splurge!  I purchased it because I got my first age spot {!!-I'm not even 30 yet!} I only use it at night, but I noticed a difference after just one week.  I dab the little pad it comes with and start on my age spot {just left of my left eye} and then use the remainder of the pad under my eyes, between my eyes, and around my mouth.  $95

Burt's Bees' Acne Solution Toner :: Again, toner isn't a huge deal to me.  I bought this on my last walmart run.  I apply it in the mornings after I wash my face.  I squirt a bit on a makeup pad or piece of toilet paper and swipe it all over my face.  $10

Arbonne Corrective Eye Cream :: This was another splurge.  I've always had terrible dark spots under my eyes {thanks dad!}but having children has only intensified this {if I could only teach them that sleep is in fact a good thing!} :)  Again, maybe it's just my imagination, but I really think this has helped.  I apply it all around my eye {if I have any left on my hand, I rub it around my smile lines} after the toner.  $55

Arbonne Restorative Day Cream Moisturizer :: Clearly by now you know all of my Arbonne products are splurges.  In truth, I tried a sample of their entire RE9Advanced line that I loved, but just couldn't pull the trigger with that price tag, so I chose the most important to me.  So clearly this is a fantastic lotion considering I could buy a 'regular' lotion at the salon for under $20.  It leaves my face feeling moisturized but not heavy or greasy.  $50

Are there any products I'm missing?  

Something amazing that I must try?  Help a sister out!

Again, this is an unpaid product review.  I bought all of these items at full price & expressed only my own opinions. 

What I Eat {a picky eater watching calories}

Cullyn {& therefore Adam and I, too!} had a rough night again, not falling asleep until after 3a.  These are the mornings I want to stuff my face with a donut and mt. dew before starting my day, as a reward for getting out of bed, but instead I'll write about my 'new' eating habits....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2014, I'm really putting time and effort into my body.  With two sisters getting married +  three beach vacations this year, I've been motivated to try to find it again.  

I use MyFitnessPal all day, everyday.  {which helps me stay accountable instead of just guessing how many calories I taken in and what I have left.

I drink water all day, everyday. {this helps keep my body mind full, plus it's obviously good for everyone!}

I try to workout every day. Depending on my workouts, my food will change.  For instance, if I do kickboxing {burns tons of calories} then I usually have pasta {because I love pasta but never have enough calories for it unless I kickbox.  If I run or do the elliptical {burns less calories than kickboxing, but still a decent amount}, I usually have a piece of chocolate or some treat that I don't usually get to 'reward' myself.  If I walk or push the stroller, I usually reward myself with a soda or a glass of wine.  I'll post about my gym routine separately.

Okay, now to the part I was really getting to...
I'm a really picky eater, so I have to control my portion size to stay under my calories for the day.  But, I make it work for me. Also, I don't mind eating the same thing every.single.day.  Again, it works for me.

Breakfast {5-8a depending on the day}
if I'm craving a donut, I eat a peanut butter, chocolate chip granola bar {I love the Quaker ones}
if I'm crazing something hearty, I eat a scrambled egg with a little diced lunch meat and shredded cheese
if I'm lazy, I eat toast with butter or peanut butter on it.

Morning Snack{9-10a depending on the day}
I'll have a little slice of cheese {I love Laughing Cow garlic and herb} with a few crackers {usually Wheat Thins or Thin Crisps}
Sometimes I have a handful of almonds, a string cheese, or some popcorn.

Lunch{11a-12p depending on the day}
if I know I'll be working out, I'll eat a personal sized frozen pizza.
if I know I won't be working out, I'll eat a lunchmeat sandwich.
if I'm lazy, I will eat a portion of leftovers from dinner the night before.

Afternoon Snack{2-3p depending on the day}
if I know I'll be working out, I'll eat a mini bag of baked chips.
if I know I won't be working out, I'll eat a mini bag of popcorn.
if I'm hungry, I eat a peanut butter granola bar.
if I'm craving chocolate, I eat a chocolate covered granola bar.

insert workout here {4-7p depending on the day}

Dinner{5-8p depending on the day}
My portion size and if I eat the starch, depends on how many calories I have left, but I eat whatever my husband makes for dinner that night.
Chicken and rice
Fish
Chicken Marsala
Steak and potatoes
Roast & potatoes
Chicken Alfredo
Homemade pizza
Chicken/Beef tacos

Dessert{occasionally}
if I have calories left...
a glass of wine
a can of Mountain Dew
a scoop of ice cream
a piece of chocolate

Again, I am no physician, dietitian, or supermodel, but for me it's all about being able to eat what I like, in moderation and staying active throughout the week.  For the most part, I have cut all drinks besides water since they are empty calories.

The Postpartum Body {& a must purchase!}

I had to go shopping today to get some new undergarments.  I purchased my first real {non-maternity} bra for the first time in 2 years...holla!

Let me just say, I've 'recovered' from both kids the same....I deliver, I come home, and less than a week later I'm back in my jeans.  {they don't quit fit the same, but I'm in}

Before you send me nasty emails, hear me out...

I might be able to get back into my jeans right away, but why is it that the number that I was pre-baby and the {same} number I am back at are SO, SO different!  Yes, it's the same number, and yes, I do fit into my clothes, but holy hell do they look so totally different!

There is something about all of stretching and shifting that just does not do the body well.  I am 26 years old and I just bought 'full coverage' and 'comfort strap' bras and shapewear!

What the hell?!

I am thankful I'm back to {semi} normal size, but man do I wish I would have been more thankful for the way I wore this number pre children!

-------------------------------------

As for the 'actual' healing this time...it's like your body totally knows what's going on.  I felt 100% in less than a week.  It could be related to the quicker delivery, but I think a lot of it just has to do with the fact that your body knows what to do {especially mine since it just went through this 18 months ago!} I was so fortunate to be back to normal so quickly.  In fact I started running jogging at 4 weeks postpartum this time {yes, with the ok from my OB}

-------------------------------------

PS...Shapewear is AMAZING!  It's my new obsession.  I had Spanx before but found them extremely uncomfortable.  The thing I got this time is like a leotard {that you wear your own bra with}...PERFECT!  I have no idea what I did before it.  So if you're not toned like you would like to be, I recommend running out today and buying one of these numbers...you can thank me later! :)  
And before someone asks, no, this was NOT sponsored!