Bulu box Review

Have you heard of Bulu box? Bulu Box is the first health, nutrition and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best. Each month, you’ll get a custom box filled with a new mix of 4 to 5 premium samples from top brands to try. Every sample is sufficient enough to decide if the product is right for you.  I received one to review and wasn’t disappointed!  You can try it too!

What was inside!

I tried almost everything (I haven’t had a need *ahem* for the Yerba Prima yet!) and loved trying them.  The best part about subscription boxes like these are that I wouldn’t necessarily buy any of these separately to try.  But getting them together to try was a great way to check out some new things!

I’ll tell you in order that I tried them (I think!).  My first was the Mediterra Sundried Tomato and Basil bar.  You heard that!  It’s a savory granola-like bar (really more like a Kind bar – lots of texture!)

See all that good stuff?

I wasn’t sure what to expect here.  I’m not sure if I’d buy these regularly, but I would definitely get one for on the go.  It tasted like it sound, with the great crunch and flavor that I expected from seeing it and knowing the flavor name.  The only reason I wouldn’t get them regularly is that I go for the sweet stuff!

Next up was probably what I was most looking forward to!  The Quest Peanut Butter protein powder had to be delicious since I already trust Quest to be crazy good!  And it was.  I still have the second packet too, so having two was pretty nifty. I knew that if I didn’t like it with just water and ice (I did!), I could try it another way.  I may mix it with some chocolate protein powder to see how that is (how could it go wrong??)

Next, I tried these Movit Energy gummies.

I brought these for a preworkout boost while away for the weekend so I didn’t have a baggie of my usual preworkout, Energize, in my carry on.  I ended up not actually getting in my workout, but it wasn’t lack of energy!  These were delicious and definitely gave me a boost!  Loved them, though gummies at 4am don’t sound like a great way to start the day.  So I may get these to have for late workouts or when I’m on the go.

Okay, the last of what I tried was kind of a surprise.  I really didn’t expect much from the Earth’s Care Anti-Itch Cream.  But then, I had a need for just that.  I was recently stung by some fire ants…a totally new thing for me.  I had no clue what to really do for them, and it would be fine for a bit, and then itch like crazy for a while.  This went on for about a week, until I realized I had this cream to try.

Well, that’s the last time they itched!  This is now in my purse for easy access.  I’ll be buying more soon, though I used so little with such great results that I may not need more for a bit!

So, do you want to check out this box and get some samples to heck out??  Use code SWEATPINK for 50% off a 3-month subscription and let me know how you like it!

New Toy!

I have never been exactly comfortable on a bicycle…at least one that wasn’t stationary!  I can cycle indoors like a madwoman, but put my wheels on the ground, and I’m so scared. It’s fear, not lack of skills, along with lack of experience that holds me back.

Let’s paint a little 1980s picture…pink bicycle, white basket with plastic flowers, glittery streamers coming out of the handles.  And me.  Letting anyone else ride it because I don’t even have a desire to.  I learned to ride, but just didn’t want to do it much.  Eventually, I wanted to ride a bike and did…about 9 years later  It was someone else’s and I was doing great for a while, until falling into a ton of gravel.  I still have the scars.  And I didn’t ride again for about 15 years.

That brings us to a few years ago.  My husband and I bought mountain bikes.  I was uncomfortable on it.  I had SO MUCH fear, pretty much only because I couldn’t put my feet on the ground while on the seat.  Any time I needed to start or stop, I got scared and would often be so fearful, I’d mess up and fall.  It wasn’t enjoyable for me.

But I wanted to ride.  So a few weeks ago, we got this cutie…

which has what’s called flat feet technology so I can put my feet on the ground while my buns stay on the seat! (and it matches my bag, not pictured)

So.  I’ve been busy riding my bike with my family.  I have no pictures because I was riding the bike.  And now I’m buying a pretty white basket for the front.  And learning back routes through my new town so I can do things like run to the store (and put things in my basket to take home).

And all is well!

Which made me almost miss that it’s about September…which means it’s time for a new monthly challenge!  Comment with your email address (or email me!) to be added to the accountability group!

Body Beast and 21 Day Fix Extreme Hybrid

One thing I need to have for fitness success is a schedule! Making it up as I go doesn’t work for me, so I like having structure and a plan.

Plans change sometimes and I’m working on a new schedule of practicing live formats to teach, but this had been my plan.  Mixing some favorites is a great way to keep things fresh and interesting!  Here’s a simple mix of Body Beast and the 21 Day Fix Extreme.

What do you think? If you try this, I want to hear how it goes for you!!

Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

Now that I have most of my kitchen back, it’s time to get cooking…if you could call this that!  Basically it’s “put items in food processor…eat the deliciousness” but you do need the food processor!

So…what do you need??  I measured in my 21 Day Fix portions, but you can use whatever amounts fit in your day.

The picture says it all…a purple of frozen raspberries and a red of plain Greek yogurt.  Put them in the food processor (add your sweetener of choice if you like!  But the raspberries do make it sweet on their own.) and blend it up!  I had to stop to push down the sides a few times.  Then enjoy…after you’ve rinsed out the food processor.  It will make your life easier!

What super simple recipes have you made lately?

Why not you?

From my facebook page…

Sometimes, I still feel like the girl on the left. Unsure of myself, bigger than everyone around me, in a cycle of wanting to eat to numb the stress and stressing because I’m not taking care of myself.

Other times, I think about how much has changed since then.

You can change your habits and thoughts…maybe not completely, and it doesn’t have to be all at once. But you CAN.

And that is kind of amazing!

Moving Chronicles Part 2

So fast after part 1! I’ve got tips for staying on track at the end…

So, today is more about the 3-Day Refresh than anything.  This time will be a bit different from last time I did it…but I’m deciding to have this make it better, not a challenge! I don’t have a way beyond some pictures and how I feel to determine results.  No measuring tape (I’d buy one, but since once comes with almost every Beachbody program, I do have a few!), full length mirror or scale.  All are on a truck somewhere!  I did take more of an upper body picture so I can see changes there.  But I o have a pair of pants that were looser and now aren’t, so I can judge by that too!

I’ll mostly be going with how I feel.  I’ve been feeling pudgy if that makes sense.  There have been little things I’ve noticed like the way my knees fit together when I’m standing.  Or how I feel about my arms.  Both signs that I haven’t been paying as much attention as I should to my nutrition.  A few extra carbs here, a fried pickle there, a trip to the frozen yogurt place…none too bad, but put them all together and I’m not eating to my goals as I’d like to!

What I have been doing is working out daily and getting in water.  I’m almost done with Cize, dancing my way to exercise.  It was perfect for this time, with not needing equipment and being so fun, I had no excuses to miss a workout.  I switched one rest day (I skipped last Saturday, the day we arrived in NC, and did that workout on Sunday, my rest day), but other than that I stuck to the schedule.  All I need for this workout is a laptop and some space!  I haven’t even used the DVDs…I’ve done it all on the Beachbody on Demand site!

So now it’s time to get back to normal.  Eating out every day isn’t sustainable nutrition or money-wise!  This weekend may be tough all around with us still in a bit of an unsettled pattern and me sticking to the plan, but with a little prep on my part, we can go out and I can bring my food.  Also part of prep…buying a knife!

We packed a few salad/mixing bowls, our blender and accessories, some water bottles (and a milk cup for the kiddo), a pot, a strainer, a cutting board (we had knives in between packing and moving…an old set we were tossing) and a baking sheet.  I wish we’d kept one knife, but this one was cheap and will do the trick.  In yesterday’s post, I mentioned ice cube trays as something else I found I really wanted.  I think those are the two big things I’d do differently.

So, how have I been staying more on track this week?

* More salads, and at home.  It’s easy to overdo it on add-ons and dressing when you’re eating out!  Though salads can be a great ordering option too, be careful of items like wonton strips, cheese, croutons, dried fruits and nuts.  Not that they’re bad, but they do add up!
* More water!  And tea.  Both help keep you full and water will keep your body running and functioning well.
* Stock what you can!  When we were eating from a cooler, I had carrots and grapes in there.  Not great for variety, but easy to keep…no squish factor from other stuff in the cooler too!
* Get creative!  I microwaved a sweet potato yesterday, piercing holes in it with my blender blade.  Part 1 mentioned how I made ice.  When we were out of paper bowls, I used a plastic cup.  Don’t let the little inconveniences be setbacks…try to find another solution.
* Try to save when you’ll have more carbs.  This was definitely made easier by a recent round of the 21 Day Fix Extreme, where I did a carb depletion plan.  I used to think I needed the carbs at certain times, but that helped me to see it was in my head.  I’ve been doing a serving in the morning and then saving them for dinner in case we go out somewhere carby (is that a thing?? Think sandwiches, etc) or we go for a treat.
* Have a plan.  I had my workout schedule so I knew what to do each day.  I knew all along that I would start the Refresh today.  I knew I had stuck to 21 Day Fix nutrition for so long that I could do okay eyeballing it.

I’m not perfect though!  There have been many poor choices, but the bottom line was that I was feeling like crap.  How frustrating to realize that you’re doing that to yourself!  I’m also realizing that with the extra heat here, I need to eat better to keep my energy up.  Otherwise I don’t want to do anything…more motivation.  So the last tip…

* Find motivation in new places!  I had the heat, and then bought a fitness journal at Target for a little extra push and organization.

Where are you pulling some extra motivation from??

Moving Chronicles part 1

You probably know I moved last week…Moving out of state is a new animal for me!  I’ve always lived in New York State and my longest moves were mostly before I had much stuff…not as much to think about!  But this time, it’s moving a house of 3 people (minus couches) 10 hours away.  We had a moving company load up our stuff last week (it’s not here yet…we’re all about the air mattress!) and drove down, hoping our daughter would sleep on the overnight drive (surprise!  She didn’t).  So here are some of the moving related stories I have for you, now that I at least have a decently comfortable place to type!

First, there were some issues when we arrived.  One was the fridge…not useable and I’ll spare you the details.  We decided to order one that we’d take with us when we buy a place as a second fridge.  It came with a free ice maker and could be delivered the next day!  Yippee!!

Until I got an email the following morning saying that the order wasn’t processed.  Apparently, a large purchase (we also bought a washer and dryer, not delivered yet) made to a new address raises flags!  As it should.  So that was another day.  And when it was delivered, the ice maker was out of stock and Target was out of ice cube trays! (wha??)  I came up with this bit of cleverness because I like ice…baggies frozen.  They fit pretty well in the Ninja cups and worked until we found an ice cube tray…

  
  
Also on our list was new driver’s licenses.  You can see how happy it is to be in the waiting room!

 

We now have a couch! We got sick of it being so sparse and upped our couch selection time line, going from outdoor chic to comfy sectional.  I had been using the chair as a desk, floor as a chair method of using a computer but this is much more comfortable!

More on the eating situation is coming in part 2, but I did want to mention something about mindset! I wasn’t eating very healthy when we got here. I just didn’t make great choices.  This week, I pledged to get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and it was so easy…to get 7! I’d been getting 3-4 last week, mostly fruit.  This week I did (and felt!) so much better!

Here’s a salad…used nothing to make it.  Spinach and tomatoes with oil, vinegar, cilantro and seasoning. Easy. And I could have made it easy last week, but my mindset wasn’t there.

Think good thoughts tonight! Change your mindset, change your life!

Cize – Livin in the 8s

I did not expect to take/post this video!  But I eventually felt good enough to share without wearing a paper bag over my head.  It took longer than the others to feel like I wasn’t completely confused, but by the second time through, I felt okay…and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops!

Here, you also see our new kitchen and living room.  We moved to North Carolina on Saturday.  So here we are.

Excuse me as the dust settles…but I’m here!

Cize – Go For It

You wanted another one, right??

Here’s the next video…I realized i didn’t “go for it”…I need to make my moves bigger! I don’t workout with mirrors (though soon!), so I thought I was all out, but I’m going to work on it!!

Cize – In The Pocket

Another Cize video for you!

I’m not watching this one…I feel like if I do, I might not post it!  I love being silly with my daughter and have no problem being silly with others. Dancing by myself in my living room at 5am? Kinda feel silly…but in a good, sweaty way, so I keep doing it! Here’s In The Pocket, from this morning.