Easter 2015

We had a really great time yesterday for Easter. Everything went really smoothly and we have plenty of leftovers to feast on during the week, which is my favorite!

First holidays are so much fun, and getting more fun each time as Parker gets a little bit older for each :) Here's how our Easter Sunday went:

We woke up, went downstairs and noticed the Easter bunny made a stop at our house for Parker. He will for sure be one spoiled boy, but I just can't help myself! How cute is he?!

Converse | Frog, Bunny, Metal Bucket | Curious George and Tractor Books | Black Sneakers | Baby Teethers (Here and here)

After we dug into his Easter basket, we made some coffee and got ready for church. Mind you, this was our first time going to church in about eight years (wayyy too long!). Parked slept the whole service, which was great, and it was beautiful out so it was nice to get out of the house for a bit. I couldn't help thinking about how great it would be if Parker could walk and we could hide eggs in the yard but I guess that'll have to wait until next year ;)

When we got home it was time to start cooking. We always get a honey baked ham for both Easter and Thanksgiving so that was taken care of. I made some deviled eggs, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and some stuffing (all homemade of course!). I didn't get any pictures of our table spread with all the fixins' on it, man! But I did snap a few pics of the desserts. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I at least try to take some pictures, that counts right?

It's not much but it was only my husband, our two neighbors, and myself, and we all enjoyed it!

Ok, ok, ok so I'm not a professional baker either. Sue me! I think these turned out cute :)

You know how hard it is to find those huge hearty strawberries to make chocolate covered strawberries?! It's pretty much impossible, so I had to settle for the regular sized ones from the carton. These are supposed to resemble carrots, can you tell? Either way they were tasty ;)

After dinner we sat down on the couch in our food coma and watched a movie. I'd say all in all it was a very successful Easter! I'd love to hear all about your Easter. What kind of desserts did you have and were they as perfectly imperfect as mine? ;)

Color Yourself Full of Delicious Treats

Pre-Pregnancy Checklist Update

Previously I made a pre-pregnancy checklist. I'm now going to tear that up and tell you if it was really necessary, if I actually did it, and what I would add.

1. Schedule a pre-pregnancy doctors appointment.

Ok so I didn't really schedule a pre-pregnancy one. I scheduled an I-Know-I'm-Already-Pregnant one. Which is the common way to go. There's really no need to schedule one because you're going to start to try to conceive. I think that's just a bit too much and who really has that much time anyway?

2. Take folic acid.

I definitely did do this. As soon as I stopped taking my birth control pill, which was about two months before I got pregnant, I started to take prenatals (these have the daily recommended amount of folic acid). Mind you, they were the gummy prenatals so it wasn't that big of a deal. But I would highly recommend this so you have the right amount of daily nutrients needed.

3. Give up drinking, smoking, and drugs.

     I didn't smoke or do drugs beforehand so that was easy. I would drink every now and then, but that all stopped once I found out I was pregnant. This one is definitely at the top of the list though of things to do.

4. Start eating healthy now.

     Ya know, eating healthy is good in theory but actually doing it is harder than it sounds! Once I knew I was pregnant I started getting some healthy snacks and trying to eat a bit better, but all in all I pretty much ate the same as I did before I was pregnant. I did have a few cravings here and there and I couldn't stand the smell of fish while I was pregnant, so there was that. But if you can do this, I would.

5. Try to stop drinking coffee.

     Ok, so I didn't do this. My OBGYN said that a cup or two of coffee a day was perfectly fine, and actually may be better since you won't get headaches from the lack of caffeine. I personally also feel that you shouldn't forgo all caffeine because once you do introduce caffeine to your child (think when they first drink soda), that's when you think your kid has ADHD because their system goes nuts. 

6. Make sure you're at a healthy weight.

     So this only happened to me by chance. I was already at a healthy BMI before I conceived so this one wasn't really something I thought about. But I do think being at a healthy weight helps you throughout your pregnancy and afterwards. Check your BMI here.

7. Start to exercise!

     I'm not going to lie. I didn't really exercise too much at all. Towards the end I was even out of breath walking up the stairs haha. But I wouldn't strike this one off the list. Exercising is something that should be done for your overall health, whether or not you're trying to conceive.

8. Make an appointment to see your dentist.

     Nope. Didn't do this at all. Probably should have. Probably still need to. This one's definitely still on my to-do list.

9. Stop the pill.

     I stopped mine about two months before we started trying to conceive. I know, two whole months! What did I do in the meantime? Well, my husband was gone for two months for training so it wasn't really that hard. But this one obviously stays on the list.

10. Make sure you're ready.

     Ok, so this one I still feel pretty strong about. I knew that I wanted a baby and I knew my husband was ready for one too. I'm not sure if you're ever 100% ready, you'll always have those doubts. Just if you have time to plan, I would recommend it.

As for any additions, I think I would add these few:

1. Get your partying out now! You'll not only be down for the count for those 9 months, but you'll pretty much be down until you decide to stop breastfeeding.

2. Start your stretch mark prevention. I'd recommend Vitamin E oil or cocoa butter. So lather up!

I think that pretty much wraps it up. Of course it'll be different for everyone, but these are just some little tid bits from mine :) I'd love to hear what items were on your checklist!

Color Yourself Pregnant :)

New House, New Baby, New Crazy Adventure!

So a lot has changed within this past year... a new house, renovations to said house, my first pregnancy, and the most precious gift I could ever ask for!

So we'll start off with the house:

It's a gorgeous house located on two acres of land, back in the woods away from all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. It's a little slice of heaven coming from the city. It's about a mile away from the bay, so that means beach time soon :) I couldn't have asked for a better house to learn and grow with. That being said, it definitely needed some TLC. Stuck in the 90's with the honey oak kitchen cabinets, linoleum floor everywhere, laminate countertops, and ivory trim and doors throughout YUCK! But we definitely saw potential, and hopefully an investment for our future.

Renovations:

As you can tell from my descriptions above we have a lot of work on our hands. But the best part is learning how to do everything and doing it ourselves. It's definitely been challenging to say the least, but the kitchen renovation is pretty much complete. We redid the floor, painted the cabinets, installed granite countertops, and got all new appliances (pictures to follow). All other renovations that need to be done to the house are slowly getting started, and when I say slowly I mean haven't started at all but thought about starting them :)

Pregnancy:

Let me tell you, being pregnant was no walk in the park. Between the morning sickness (well the all-day sickness), the hair growth (ew I know), and the stretchmarks, I did not have the time of my life. I did track my weekly bump progress with a chalkboard so I'll be posting those up soon here as well.

Finally we get to the best part, my sweet baby :)

Worth all of the sickness, all of the pain of birth, all of the stretchmarks. I couldn't imagine anything better than this. He seriously brightens my day with every smile. He's the sweetest little thing that I've ever laid my eyes on. Obviously an insane amount of posts about this little guy are to come, hope you're ready! :)

So lots of things have happened since my last post, but I'm back and ready to share my journey! Hopefully I'll keep it up this time ;)

Color Yourself Happy!

Breastfeeding, Supplementing and Maternity Leave

Back when I decided to get pregnant, I already knew I was going to go back to work after I had the baby. I didn't know how long I'd stay on maternity leave for, but I knew I was going to go back. Financially it was smart to go back, even if daycare was $300 a week (which is still crazy to me!). While I was home on maternity leave I was breastfeeding. It was convenient and cheap, so why not? Also, you hear about all the benefits of breastfeeding so it was a no-brainer for me to give it a try. 

Let me just tell you, the first two nights I was home my milk supply didn't come in yet (which is normal but extremely frustrating). Your baby should be getting your colostrum,and they should only be needing about a teaspoon each feeding, but my baby was crying his head off those first two nights home. He was fine during the day but absolutely miserable at night. We finally gave in at 4am the second morning and made him a bottle of formula. He gulped that right down and fell asleep soon after. 

Honestly this made me feel very down on myself. I'm supposed to be able to feed my baby. I felt like a failure, but the most important thing was that my baby was fed and happy. I eventually got over it once my milk supply came in, and ultimately felt better about the whole situation once I brought it up to my pediatrician and she said that it was perfectly normal and ok to supplement.

We were just fine for about the first 6 weeks or so, but then the dreaded day was coming when I had to go back to work. I took 8 weeks of maternity leave all together. It was a little bit easier on me leaving my baby the first two weeks because my husband took off the first week to watch the baby and then my mom flew down from Ohio to watch him the second week. But before I went back to work I had a little bit of anxiety thinking about what if my baby didn't have enough food when I left him at daycare? I then and there decided to breastfeed and supplement.

This ultimately was a better decision for me because it put less strain on myself and also my husband was able to help out a bit more when it came to the feedings at home, and there's nothing wrong with it. Mom's don't feel bad or down on yourself if you do this. Your baby is still getting the benefits of breastfeeding, but also they're getting all the food they need and it's less stress on you! We starting him off with about a bottle of formula a day, and I would usually pump during this time so that I had a little bit of a supply once I returned to work. 

Currently I've been back to work for about a month and a half and we are still breastfeeding and supplementing. It seems to work the best for our situation and everyone is happy in the end! 

So do whatever is best for your situation. Everyone is different and will have their own way of feeding that will work best for them. 

Color Yourself Stress-Free!

How What You Say Effects Women

So you will always want to be a perfect 10 in your significant other's eyes. This is the ideal image that you'd like to perceive to them, however impractical it is. When they critique you, and they definitely do, it always has an effect on you, no matter how big or how small. For example, just a few months ago my husband told me that my teeth were getting yellow. Seriously?? Naturally, my first reaction was to shoot an insult right back at him. "No, your teeth are yellow! You must of been eating a crap ton of corn or something! Oh, and your uni-brow is getting a bit out of hand!" But let's get serious, it really made me self-conscious and I went out and bought some Crest Whitestrips. Don't get me wrong, my comments made him self-conscious too and he got rid of his uni-brow stat, so women are culprits too. 

But that's just one example of how a little comment like that can really take a toll on someone. And a bunch of those little comments may lead to resentment or self-hate.

"Man, you really need to pluck your eyebrows!"

"You're wearing THAT out?"

"Wait, you're not going to the gym today?"

"That's what you're going to eat?"

All of these comments break down a person's image of themself. They end up thinking, "Should I really eat this? I want my significant other to find me attractive. What if I never look like those models in the magazine? Will they still want me?"  All of these things run through a person's, mostly a woman's, mind constantly. Am I good enough? Am I skinny enough? Am I perfect enough? Women beat themselves up constantly about their appearance sufficiently without the help of their significant other. They have the help of TV, movies, magazines, the internet! Everything works against a woman that doesn't have that picture perfect body. She can always be doing something to make herself look better. 

Well everyone needs to realize that those people get paid to look like that. They don't have a normal job, children without the help of nannies, or money problems. The daily stress of the average American weighs heavy on people. It's hard to make time to look perfect. So think of that the next time a hurtful comment is said. Think of yourself as the ideal woman or man. The working woman who has to take care of three children and clean the house when she has a spare minute. Think of yourself as beautiful, and your "flaws" are just the little things that make you different from the Barbies out there. You are unique, you are beautiful, you are perfect!

Color Yourself Perfectly Imperfect

Pre-Pregnancy List

Thinking of having a baby? Here's a list that I've composed of the things you should do to get yourself ready to get pregnant. We're thinking of having a baby so I was very curious as to what I should be doing to prepare my body to be the best home for my child while they are growing. Here's what I've come up with:

1. Schedule a pre-pregnancy doctors appointment.
     Here you will be examined and prescribed a multivitamin and prenatal vitamins. The doctor will talk to you about your exercise habits, your drug and alcohol habits, and your eating habits. You may want to get genetic testing here to determine if your child will be at risk for certain diseases. You may also receive a pap smear at this time.

2. Take folic acid.
     You may already be taking this in your prenatal, so make sure you aren't double dosing. Taking a folic acid supplement is crucial. By taking 400 mcg of folic acid a day for at least one month before you conceive and during your first trimester, you can cut your chances of having a baby with neural-tube defects such as spina bifida by 50 to 70 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Taking folic acid helps prevent some other birth defects as well.

3. Give up drinking, smoking, and drugs.
     For obvious reasons, this is very beneficial for your baby's development. By doing any one of these, you can increase the chances that your baby will be born with a large handful of diseases, or even miscarry. Even secondhand smoke can increase the chance of birth defects in babies. So play it safe and think about your baby's health before yourself.

4. Start eating healthy now.
     Get your body prepared with all the nutrients that it needs to help your baby grow. Stock up on fruits and veggies, calcium-rich foods (yogurt and milk), and a lot of protein. This will also help you to eat healthier, since you're already used to it, when you get pregnant.

5. Try to stop drinking coffee.
     I know, I'm crazy right? That cup of coffee is the only thing that gets you through the day. Well you're in luck! Some studies have found that it is ok, or even in some cases beneficial, to drink just one small cup of coffee a day. Try to stick with just black coffee, but if you can't swing that don't throw a whole bunch of sugar in there, try a splash of non-fat milk. But no coffee is the best way to go if that's possible.

6. Make sure you're at a healthy weight.
     Being at a BMI from 20-24 is the most ideal weight to conceive. The pregnancy seems to be easier for women that are at this BMI. Being outside this number can have a negative effect on your fertility. To calculate your BMI click on this BMI Calculator. This may be hard to achieve for some women, so try your best to be as healthy as you can! Talk to your doctor for help with the best ways to gain or lose weight.

7. Start to exercise!
     An exercise plan is what you need to kick start your healthy pre-pregnancy body. A good exercise program includes at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise about 5-6 days a week. Try to get out an walk if you don't have a gym you can go to! Once pregnant, it's recommended that you continue your program. This will help you feel better, and get back to your pre-pregnancy body faster, and who doesn't want that?!

8. Make an appointment to see your dentist.
     It may seem like a funny thing on this list, but pregnant women are most susceptible to getting gum disease. A preventative appointment before you get pregnant can help deter any gum pain during pregnancy.

9. Stop the pill.
     You should stop taking your pill for a few months in order for your period to regulate back to your normal cycle. This may take a few months, but you will be able to get a better due date once you conceive. Also, it may take a bit for you to get pregnant once you stop birth control, or for some women it only takes a few days. 

10. Make sure you're ready.
     You should be 100% sure that you both are ready for a child. Since we live in a world where repopulating isn't an issue, you can chose to be a parent or not. Make sure that you feel financially stable as well because raising a child is not cheap! Talk this one out with your partner. Make sure you both feel the same way because being a parent is a full time job and you can never quit. This will change your life in a major way and you need to be certain that you can handle it mentally and physically.

I hope this list helps aid you in your journey towards pregnancy! Good luck and I wish every one of you the fastest and easiest birth once you decide to get pregnant!

Color Yourself A Parent

Two Months Without the Hubs :(

As most of you may know, my husband is in the Army. He's been in the Army for about 8 years now and it's been a crazy ride. He currently has to go to ALC (Advanced Leadership Course) for two months. He will be in Arizona while I'm left behind in Maryland... man is it going to be a longggggg two months!

I'm pretty much the biggest scaredy cat ever and I hate being alone at night, which I'm going to be the whole two months! So it's pretty much the worst thing when my husband's gone. But on the bright side, I'm going to surprise him with some new additions to our house, including a PS4! (shhhhh don't tell him!) 

He's been gone for about a week now and I haven't gone too crazy. It's actually been nice to have a little time to myself to get my creative juices flowing! I've painted a picture, which I will show you guys later, I've made the bachelorette party invites for my best friends weekend extravaganza, and I've even done a little yoga. Although I do miss him, I'm happy that I've had time to start and finish some projects that have been on my mind.

Only seven more weeks to go, and I can't wait to kiss him when I pick him up from the airport! XOXO

Color Yourself Loved

Kelly Clarkson - The Sun Will Rise (cover)

This song is a great pick-me-up if you have the winter blues or are just feeling down. Take a listen and boost your outlook for the day!

Color Yourself Positive

Fight Those Winter Blues!

Feeling a bit down lately? Well, you're not alone! Approximately 1 in 16 people will feel the winter blues! That's a lot of people! Here are a few tips to keep you happy and healthy this cold season.

1. Brighten your lights. It's been proven that 20 minutes a day three feet away of less from a 300 watt bulb with help ease those sad feelings. Even a tanning bed for five minutes will suffice.

2. Exercise. Whether you go to the gym, hit up a zumba class, or just turn the radio on and dance around your house, any way you choose will help boost your mood and make you feel happier.

3. Watch what you eat. Try to steer clear of those high sugar, high carb items like cake and rice. Instead opt for those fruits and veggies!

4. Take up a winter activity. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, the list goes on and on. Choose one or two and get out there!

5. Brighten up your home. You may be surprised at how much the color of your walls can effect your mood! By simply changing the color of your kitchen or living room, or adding a colorful painting can change your day.

6. Limit your caffeine intake. Instead of coffee, opt for an herbal tea. Try to limit your alcohol intake as well. Being drunk may lead to a deeper depression.

Hope these tips help you in aiding your winter blues. Stay warm this winter! :)

Color Yourself Happy

11 Years Cancer Free!

This is my mom. She is a beautiful, strong, independent, crazy, stubborn, giving, caring, know-it-all, wonderful woman. She will bring happiness and laughter to any occasion, be the life of the party, dress to the 9's, cook a delicious meal, and still be trying to please everyone. She has a piece of advice for any situation, and usually right, but it's hard for her to hear her own words. She has always been there for me, held my hand, helped me through hard situations, and praised me when I needed it most.

I was 13 years old when she was diagnosed. It was a really hard time for everyone in my life, but you could never tell my mom was suffering. She was always positive and kept her head high for everyone else because we definitely needed it. Ovarian cancer. This meant death to most that were diagnosed. 

A woman's risk of dying from ovarian cancer is 1 in 95 (app. 14,400 women). A woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 72. There is a 44% chance that a woman with ovarian cancer will live for five years. That number is 90% for breast cancer. Crazy right? All these stats came from ovariancancer.org. 

My mom is a beautiful, strong, independent, crazy, stubborn, giving, caring, know-it-all, wonderful survivor of ovarian cancer. I'm so thankful that I have my mom today, I couldn't imagine life without her. 

I love you, Mom!

If you want to get involved and walk for ovarian cancer research, here is a list of upcoming 5Ks/Walks.

http://www.ovarian.org/upcoming_walks.php

Color Yourself Healthy!

Throwing a Bachelorette Party

First off, being chosen as the Maid/Matron of Honor or a Bridesmaid is a big honor. You're one of the people that the bride wants by her side when she makes her vows. You are her confidant, her friend, her shoulder to cry on. To the bride, you are super special in her life, so naturally, her Bachelorette party needs to be super special for her!

Now, you really need to find out what the bride has in mind for her girls celebration of the end of her single life and for her transition into marriage. Every bride is different and her vision that she has will be catered to her. Maybe you have a punk rock bride and she'll love hitting up a local band playing, or maybe she's looking for a relaxing get-away vacation, or even just a crazy night out, bar hopping with her girls. Whatever the case, it's your job to make that come true! 

1. Ask the bride who she wants to invite. This will be a big help and let you avoid the scavenger hunt to remember her closest friends and family members. Either send an email, a Facebook message, something to give each girl a heads up!

1. Now it's time to pick the place. Remember to keep the bride in mind, or even ask her what she'd like to do when picking the place! Here is a list of the top Bachelorette party destinations:

Beach vacation/ Cruise

Vegas

Big city near you to club/bar hop all night

Relaxing weekend

Hotel slumber party

Tea party brunch

Winery

Spa day

Yacht/ Boat

Whether you want to spend a lot or a little, there is a fun place for every type of Bachelorette party, with each having their pros and cons. So really talk to the bride and figure out what she really wants.

2. Picking the theme. This is tough because you really want to be original. Think of the bride. Does she have a favorite color or a stand-out hobby? Does she have a perverted sense of humor, or is she more subtle and shy? This is the hardest part for me to decide.... Here's a list of some unique themes:

Slumber party: Include eye masks with the goodie bags, along with some calming lotion, a bag of popcorn and a scented candle. This can be a fun night packed with chick flicks and pillow fights, and maybe a couple games like Never Have I Ever and Charades.

A Black and White Affair: The ladies dress in their LBD and the bride wears white. All favors decked out in the color scheme and all the attention is on the stand-out bride! B&W M&Ms, boas, balloons, and desserts!

Beach Get-away: Have beach balls around the party, everyone dress in their fav. bikini, hand out leis when guests enter, drink sex on the beach cocktails, and light tiki torches at night! Include sun screen, bottle of water, lip balm, and cute shades in the gift bags.

Party like a Princess: Have each lady wear a colored (pink, red, blue) tutu and have the bride in a white one. Get her a special crown and possibly a wand. Get chauffeured around and have a dessert tower filled with tasty color corresponding treats! Give gifts encrusted in glitter, have cupcakes with tiaras on them, and have a hangover fairy god-mother gift each girl with a hangover cure kit!

Beauties and Bubbly: This is the theme that I'm planning on throwing at the Bachelorette party that I'm planning. Tons of champagne and sparkling juices for those ladies that don't want to drink, lots of fun girly activities including a pole dancing class (Boas included) and some relaxing downtime with facials and paraffin wax. Tons of sequins and glittery accessories will accompany my invites and decor. Champagne glasses with mini favors will be the gifts I give.

Brides Favorite Color: Pretty in Pink, Glamorous in Green, Picture Perfect in Peach, or Outrageous in Orange. Invites, balloons, favors, cupcakes, t-shirts, everything in the bride's preferred color! This one may be the easiest to do. Have all the girls wrap their presents with that color and have a signature drink in that color!

Penises: This seems to be a favorite among party stores and websites world-wide, so it should be pretty easy to throw a bash with this theme. Although this isn't one that I would choose (well maybe a game or two), there are many ways to incorporate this. The cake, the favors, even the brides gear can all have a penis added. I feel like this theme is a little played out and not really what a Bachelorette bash should be, but it's all up to what you think your bride would love!

3. After the guest list is finalized, the place has been booked, and the theme has been picked, it's now time to book transportation to bars/clubs if needed, plan and book the activities, and order a cake/cupcakes for the party! Depending on your theme and where the party will be, your activities will vary. For that outdoorsy bride, canoeing, zip lining, horseback riding, or camping may be what your looking for. For that fun, outgoing, crazy bride, a trip to the strip club, a pole dancing class, or a Pure Romance party. For that Must-Be-VIP bride, bottles of expensive champagne, a stretch limo, and VIP at the clubs. For that bride that just wants to relax, a spa day (either at the spa or at home), face masks and pedicures, followed up by a fun movie and some comfort food.

4. Have a great time! Let the chips fall as they may. You won't be able to control everything so don't try. It'll just make your time worse and you want to be able to enjoy the festivities you've planned too! Don't be that crazy girl with the itinerary and when one things doesn't go as planned freak out. Instead, plan for extra time. Tell every one that the dinner reservations were an hour earlier, or your activity is planned for 30 minutes before it actually is, that way those ladies that take extra time will be forced to hurry up so they won't be late! Hope for the best, but expect the worst, that's the best advice I can give!

Of course as the Maid/Matron of Honor you are not supposed to foot the whole bill so don't be afraid to ask for help from the other ladies that are attending. You are supposed to foot the bill for the Bridal Shower, but that's a whole different story! But don't dig yourself  financial hole. The bride won't want to burden you, so host the bash on your budget! Sometimes a close-knit group of girls relaxing at home and cracking jokes is way better then a crazy night in Vegas, and way cheaper too!

Hope this helps you to plan the perfect party for your bride!

Color Yourself Happy

Lose Weight and Get Healthy!

So while at work, I catch up on a little bit of Dr.Oz. While listening to one of his shows, an interesting topic caught my attention…

Protein powders.

I know, I know. It sounds like I'm trying to become a body builder, but it's not like that at all! Having a scoop of protein powder in a breakfast smoothie can actually help you lose weight, have more energy during the day, boost your metabolism, and even help curb those crazy mood swings!

So this got the gears spinning. Should I try protein powders in my breakfast smoothie or not? I thought, why not? It can't hurt to try, right? So off to GNC I go. Luckily I had my hubby there with me to help delve through the many different types. We finally settled on soy protein powder. There were many choices, but I felt this was the right choice for me. I've compiled a list of the different kinds and how they benefit you!

Soy Protein

Boosts metabolism

Alleviates menopausal symptoms (Not too worried about this one yet ;) )

Helps prevent osteoporosis

Lowers cholesterol and the risk of heart disease

Can boost immunities

Can help decrease the amount of belly fat (YES!)

May reduce some types of cancers

Whey Protein

Tastes the best out of all the protein powders

Costs less than most others

Virtually fat free

Enhances the immune system

Good for lactose-sensitive people

Absorbed quickly into system

Muscle building benefits

Casein Protein

Good meal replacement - absorbs slowly

Doesn't mix very well with liquids

Muscle building benefits

Lose weight

Fight mood swings

Egg White Protein

Very low in fat and carbs

Cholesterol and dairy-free

Helps lose weight

Boosts metabolism

Easy to absorb into system

Brown Rice Protein

Good for people with sensitive stomachs

Lose weight

Revitalize your energy

Has carbs

These are just some of the popular ones. I'm sure there are a million other types, but I figured you'd be able to find these ones the easiest.  Also, don't go for the crazy flavored ones. Those just add artificial flavorings and colors to your protein. Try to stick with unflavored or vanilla or chocolate. Those come from natural ingredients, so are a bit better for you.

From looking at the different types, it looks as though you can't go wrong with any of them! If losing weight is your goal, just one serving of any type of protein with help fight the fat and help you fit in those skinny jeans, if that's your goal!

I'm going to be trying this every morning for breakfast, starting tomorrow! I'll let you all know my results in the upcoming weeks. I also workout every day during the week, so that may sway my results from someone who isn't working out everyday. But nonetheless, a scoop a day will melt the fat away :) hopefully at least! I'll keep you all posted!

Color Yourself Fit!

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Cover)

One of my all time favorite songs! Love to karaoke this one too :)

Enjoy!

+44 - Baby Come On (Cover)

This used to be my jam in high school. It's a gem =]

Performed by The Falling Trance

Listen to it. Love it. Eat it up.

Color Yourself Happy!

Nutritional Values of Fruits and Veggies

Fun Snacks for Kids

Here's a list of the nutritional values for the most nutrition-packed fruits and veggies to juice, or just to eat! This list also names some of the vitamins that you'll get when you consume them.

ALFALFA:

This green sprout is one of the richest sources of the A and B Vitamins but it is also rich in iron and contains a large supply of Vitamin B6, Vitamin K and Vitamin C.

Use only the leaves for making juice. Best made palatable by mixing with carrot or other juices. Contains practically as complete a range of minerals and vitamins as can be found in any food. Alfalfa contains approximately 8,000 I.U. of Vitamin A per 100 grams of juice.

APPLES:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulphur.

APRICOTS:

Vitamins — A, B2, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Silicon, Sulphur, Magnesium, Iron.

ARTICHOKES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

This vegetable is not as well known or appreciated as it should be but it is an excellent root vegetable. This is one vegetable that is actually beneficial to diabetics because it contains a large amount of inulin which is converted to levulose. Inulin is a white starchy substance which assists the pancreatic function of the digestive system.

ASPARAGUS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium.

Most people do not realize that asparagus is delicious eaten raw in salads. Try it. You'll love its flavor, which is similar to fresh, sweet peas.

AVOCADOES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus.

*Do NOT try to juice these! They will get stuck in your juicer. Instead, juice all of your other fruits and veggies and then blend them with the avocados in a blender.

BANANAS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

*Again, do NOT juice bananas. Blend them!

BEANS, String:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus.

String bean juice and brussels sprout juice are claimed to be of great merit in the treatment of diabetes because of their natural content of inulin. It is believed that the elimination of all refined foods and the use of a combination of juices from string beans, brussels sprouts, carrots and spinach is well worth trying.

BEETS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Silicon, Sulphur, Magnesium.

This root vegetable is yet not recognized as broadly as it deserves to be for its tremendous value as a cure-all for almost everything that ails a human being, including cancer. It contains most of the mineral salts and is especially rich in potassium and chlorine. Seems to be able to dissolve inorganic calcium deposits. Make raw beets a regular part of your diet, using the juice and the sliced whole beet as well.

BLACKBERRIES:

Vitamins — A, B2, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Chlorine, Sulphur, Sodium, Iron.

BLUEBERRIES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus.

BROCCOLI:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

CABBAGE:

Vitamins — A, B, B2 C, U.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Silicon, Iodine.

First and foremost, cabbage juice has been known to clear up duodenal and gastric ulcers. The U or K Vitamin is the factor involved. Cabbage is another underestimated vegetable. The only thing that could be held against cabbage is its tendency to generate gas, but I do not deem this a bad feature. Raw cabbage should be used in juice and in cole slaw and other salads.

CARROTS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulphur.

Carrots are rich in the alkaline minerals and carotene and are very popular for juicing.

CAULIFLOWER:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

CELERY:

Vitamins — A, B, C, E.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur, Chlorine, Phosphorus.

Very popular for its flavor, crispness and color. Try to get it with its full complement of leaves and use them, too, wherever possible. There is no sensible reason for blanching celery. Blanching removes the chlorophyll which is one of the valuable ingredients in celery.

CHERRIES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus.

COCONUT:

Vitamins — A, B, B2.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Fluorine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulphur.

CORN:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

CRANBERRIES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Chlorine, Iron, Iodine.

CUCUMBER:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Chlorine, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Silicon, Phosphorus, Sodium, Calcium, Sulphur, Iodine.

Known as one of the best diuretics in the vegetable kingdom. Also, said to promote hair growth.

CURRANTS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

DANDELIONS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sulphur, Silicon, Iron.

This lowly weed is now recognized as a superlative vegetable. Used to counteract hyperacidity and normalize alkalinity. I advise juicing both leaves and root. Put the dandelions that grow around you to good use.

DATES:

Vitamins — A, B.

Minerals — Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium.

EGGPLANT:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

ENDIVE:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur.

Endive is related to the dandelion and has a bitter taste. This vegetable is sometimes compared with varieties of lettuce. The leaves are curly and serrated. It is also known as escarole or chicory.

FENNEL:

Also known as florence fennel or finocchio. An excellent vegetable somewhat similar to celery but with a sweeter more licorice-like flavor. Must be used judiciously because of its sweet aromatic flavor. Claimed to be of value as a blood builder, thus being useful in menstrual disorders. Mixes nicely with carrot and beet juices.

FIGS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2.

Minerals — Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sulphur, Sodium, Chlorine, Silicon, Iron.

GOOSEBERRIES:

Vitamins — A, C.

Minerals — Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium.

GRAPEFRUIT:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Calcium, Iodine, Iron, Sulphur, Magnesium, Chlorine, Sodium.

GRAPES:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Calcium, Iodine, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Magnesium, Chlorine, Sodium, Iron.

KALE:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur.

This vegetable is very much like cabbage but is much hardier and can be grown outdoors during the late fall and winter months.

LEMONS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sulphur, Chlorine, Iron.

LETTUCE:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C, E.

Minerals — Calcium, Iodine, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine, Sulphur.

We regularly use four different kinds of lettuce and in my opinion head lettuce is the poorest type. I advise the use of the leafy varieties and I consider Romaine lettuce to be the best. Try to select the greenest lettuce you can find.

LETTUCE, Romaine:

This is probably the most popular of all varieties of leaf lettuce and in my opinion, the best. Said to have much different chemical properties than the regular kinds of lettuce, such as head lettuce. Usually referred to as 'Cos' because of its origin on the Island of Cos off the coast of Greece.

Has a high sodium content. Said to be of great value in Addison's disease, in which the adrenal glands are involved. Use it where ailments have failed to respond to other treatments.

MELONS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

MUSHROOMS:

Vitamins — B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

MUSKMELONS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

ONIONS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iodine, iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Sodium.

ORANGES:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iodine, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Chlorine, iron.

PARSLEY:

Vitamins — A, B, C, E.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur.

It is claimed by one authority that a combination of parsley and dandelion makes an ideal juice for migraine. Use one tablespoon of parsley juice to 3 ounces of dandelion and 3 ounces of lettuce juice, diluted with water. Parsley is a good source of chlorophyll.

PARSNIPS:

Vitamins — B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus.

Make a juice of the leaves and root. Claimed to be of value to folks with bronchial problems. It is claimed to be food for the brain, thus of benefit in mental disorders. Also said to strengthen nails.

PEACHES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Chlorine, Manganese, Sulphur, Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, iron, Potassium.

PEARS:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium.

PEAS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

PEPPERS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Silicon, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

Peppers are said to be rich in silicon, which is needed for healthy hair, nails and skin. Sweet peppers are claimed to clear up flatulence.

PINEAPPLES:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur.

PLUMS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Chlorine, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulphur.

POMEGRANATES:

Vitamins — A, B, B2.

Minerals — Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine, Phosphate, Sulphur, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron.

POTATOES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Chlorine, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium, Iron, Sodium.

Potato juice is claimed to be very effective in clearing up skin blemishes. Be sure to juice the skin and all because if you peel the potato, many minerals are lost.

PUMPKINS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

RADISHES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Iodine.

RAISINS:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Iron.

RHUBARB:

Vitamins — A, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulphur.

SPINACH:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C, E.

Minerals — Calcium, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur, Chlorine.

Spinach should be included in every mixed vegetable drink. Some claim that raw spinach is one of the genuine elixirs of life. Especially beneficial for cleansing and regenerating the intestinal tract.

SQUASH:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium.

STRAWBERRIES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium.

TANGERINES:

Vitamins — A, B, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sodium.

TOMATOES:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium; Sodium, Sulphur.

Fresh tomato juice doesn't taste as good as the canned juice because it hasn't been cooked and fixed up with additives, salt and pepper, plus who knows what else! But if it is health you are seeking, throw the canned juice down the drain and drink your own homemade raw tomato juice.

TURNIP:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C, E.

Minerals — Calcium, Phosphorus, Chlorine, Sodium, Sulphur, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron.

WATERCRESS:

This is another fine item to be used when combining juices. It is too potent to be used alone. This vegetable contains Vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulphur, calcium, iodine and sodium.

WATERMELON:

Vitamins — A, B, B2, C.

Minerals — Calcium, Chlorine, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Silicon, Sulphur, Sodium.

List from healthguidange.org

Whether you juice, or eat all your fruits and veggies raw, any way is a good way! Oh, and if you notice that the fruits don't have a lot about them, it's because we eat way more fruits than veggies and we know what they go good with because they're so delish! 

Color Yourself Healthy!