by | Jun 11, 2016 | Fitness, Food |
I know, I know. You’ve tried and failed a million times before, so why should this time be any different?
Seriously, the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet cannot be emphasized enough. If you’re going to make a change for the better, the most important thing is that you ensure that those habits stick. Otherwise, it’ll just be another waste of time and effort. Follow these simple yet effective tricks, and you’ll have far greater hopes of staying on track.
Make Cooking Easy
The easiest way to employ a healthy eating plan is to start cooking yourself. This will instantly make it easier to monitor what you’re consuming. Moreover, you can be sure that you’re staying clear of harmful additives. We haven’t all got hours to waste in the kitchen. Likewise, not all of us have the skills of a restaurant chef. Finding simple recipes like my chili will ensure that you give your taste buds a healthy treat without wasting your entire day to do so. Of course, Crockpots and other kitchen accessories can go a long way to removing some of the stress too. Ahh, perfect.
Reduce The Costs
Alongside the time, you’ll also have a keen eye on the costs. There’s a common misconception that healthy eating has to be expensive. It can be. But only if you let it. The first step is to reduce your grocery bill with smarter decisions. Healthier sunflower oil for cooking is cost-effective while ensuring that your waistline won’t expand. Meanwhile, using coupons and special deals can make a telling difference too.We all enter the new diet with positive intentions. But you won’t keep it up if those new choices start burning a hole in your pocket. Keep it cheap, and you will be more likely to maintain it.
Stop Eating Out
Eating out on a regular basis can get expensive. Moreover, you’re more likely to ditch your healthy living when you’re out. So why not stop eating out? After all, you can have just as much fun at home. Organizing a summer BBQ for your family and friends is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening together. You’ll get all the benefits of eating out, only in a far more enjoyable environment. Furthermore, you can maintain your healthy eating while still allowing guests to eat whatever they want. Besides, any excuse to get out in the backyard is a bonus.
Eating out should be for special occasions, like a birthday or anniversary
Don’t Be Too Strict
Even if you don’t enjoy your eating habits, sticking to them for a few weeks isn’t overly difficult. But nobody should stop enjoying their life. Cutting out the things you enjoy entirely is not a long-term solution. The key is to enjoy things in moderation. If you love pizza, for example, you can make it healthier by making a stone baked version from scratch. It will leave you feeling less guilty while still giving you something to look forward to. This piece of motivation can become your secret weapon. So embrace it.
Homemade cookies are a great treat, but must be eaten in moderation.
Ultimately, healthy eating is designed to enhance your life. It won’t do if it feels like a constant struggle. And if you do slip up with a few bad days, dust yourself off and carry on.
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jun 11, 2016 | Inspirations |
So your boyfriend has just proposed – it doesn’t get more exciting than that! Now begins a period of careful planning so that you can have the wedding of your dreams! Whether you want an intimate ceremony with just your nearest and dearest or a huge day with hundreds of people, you’ll need to be very organized. Here is what you need to do before you can say ‘I do’!
Get An Engagement Ring
First things first; you need an engagement ring now that you are engaged! Sometimes men like to pick one out to propose with, but these days many couples like to choose a ring together after the proposal. Online jewelry shops have gotten a lot better than they were a few years ago and today many couples buy their Verragio wedding and engagement rings online. While you are browsing for your engagement ring, why not think about your wedding bands as well!
Set A Date
When do you want to get married? You will need to choose a date before you organize anything else. Summer weddings are very popular, so if you are planning on getting married in June, July, or August you will need to book everything well in advance. One new trend that seems to be taking the wedding world by storm is getting married on a weekday. Traditionally, couples wed on Saturdays. But now, as people have less money to spend, they are opting for cheaper mid-week weddings.
Check with your church to make sure the date you want is available
Send Out Invitations
Once you know your date, it is time to let all your guests know. If you are not getting married for a year or two, send out a ‘save the date’ card first. This way, they will know to keep the date free and request time off work if they need to. Handmade invitations will look extremely cute and are a great way to start adding some personality to your big day. They can also hint at the theme you have chosen for your wedding. However, if you want to save some money, you can always just send out emails to let people know.
Ask Bridesmaids And The Best Man
If you already know who you want to be your bridesmaids and best man, let them know as soon as possible. Then they can keep the date free and start helping you and your fiance with all the important preparations. They will also need to make sure they are free for the wedding rehearsals.
Get In Shape
You will want to look your best on your big day. After all, every camera will be on you in your gorgeous dress! To make sure you look absolutely flawless now is the time to start getting in shape. Hit the gym to tone up your body. Take a look at your diet to see if there are any changes you can make to make it healthier. It is also a good idea to start working on your skin now. Moisturize every day to make it soft and smooth.
Happy planning!
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jun 7, 2016 | Food |
Losing weight is easier said than done. We try many fad diets, but can struggle to shift the pounds. But just by eating healthier foods and cutting out certain bad foods you can easily start to lose some pounds and live a healthier lifestyle. Here is how you can eat a healthier diet every day.
Cut out snacking
One of the top ways you can start eating healthier every day and lose pounds is by cutting out snacking. It’s so easy to pick up and consume a snack such as a chocolate bar when you are hungry while you are at work or home. But it can mean you will put on weight that will be hard to shift. To ensure you eat a healthier diet every day, you need to start having more filling meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It will mean you will not be hungry at other times of the day as you will still be full. If you do want a snack during the day, stick to fruit and nuts which will help you to maintain a healthy weight. If you still are struggling to stay full during the day, you could start eating five or six smaller meals during the day. It will help you to stop snacking on fattening treats.
Peanuts are a great snack to curb your appetite
Follow recipes
Another way you can ensure you are eating a healthier diet every day is by following recipes. If you go by what you think when you are cooking, you will end up cooking way too much which will see you put on weight. Looking for recipes also means you will get a lot more healthy food ideas. A lot of people always make the same things which are unhealthy as they are stuck for ideas on healthy food. By finding recipes, there are some excellent ideas that you will want to try and cook that are not as boring as a plain salad! There are so many recipes online on Youtube that you can follow from different brands. Hampton Creek YouTube Videos will give you a lot of inspiration for healthy recipes including salads and noodles which you can make. You can also buy a chef’s book for some more idea on recipes to try.
Take fruit out with you
To eat a healthier diet every day, you should take fruit out with you to your workplace or even to the shops. Therefore, when you get peckish, you are more likely to consume the fruit, rather than finding a shop for a tasty chocolate bar or a pack of potato chips. It’s often hard to find time to eat the recommended five a day of fruit that you need in your daily diet. Therefore, by taking them with you, you are more likely to eat more in the day.
A fruit smoothie is perfect for breakfast or for on the go.
Don’t make too much food
Another tip for how to eat a healthier diet every day is to ensure you are not cooking too much. It’s so easy to make too much food and then after eating a normal portion, go and fill your plate up with the leftovers. But it’s so important not to do this. Otherwise, you will end up packing on the pounds. Measure everything out correctly so you know how much to cook when you are making meals. That way, you will only make enough for one meal. It’s fine to make more, as long as you freeze it after and use it another day. If you are finding yourself still hungry, you should be making side dishes to go with your main dinner. Eat some salad with the dish if you are still hungry. Or you can have a yogurt or some fruit after dinner if you’re still hungry.
Try going vegetarian
You will be surprised to know how many people are now vegetarian. As this article reveals, over 7 million people are now vegetarian in the US. It’s become a lot more popular recently because the diet can be a lot more healthy and good for you. When you eat vegetarian dishes, they are normally full of grains which are really healthy for you. You are also eating a lot more vegetables which are essential for a healthy lifestyle. As we discussed previously, by switching to a veggie diet, you can end up losing at least a pound a week. There are so many great recipes you can enjoy if you are a veggie. If you fancy trying the diet but are unsure about whether to do it permanently, you should try it for a week or two to see if you could stick to it. Just make sure you are still getting your essential protein which you would normally get from meat. Or why not consider having a veggie choice when you are out now and again to eat more healthy.
Eat white meat
Another way you can eat a healthier diet every day is by having more lean white meat, rather than red when you are consuming meat. We know how easy it is to stick beef or lamb in the oven as it tastes so delicious. But try and stick to chicken and turkey when you are making a burger or a curry if you want to consume a healthier diet. There has been a lot of research which says you are more prone to cancers and bad heart health if you consume red meat regularly. Therefore, go for white meat which will keep your heart healthy and help you maintain a healthy weight. If you are not keen on chicken or turkey, you can try eating more fish, which is full of protein. You could also occasionally consume tofu or egg if you want to give yourself a break from red meat.
Consume more eggs
A lot of dieticians are recommending that to have a healthy diet, you should be consuming at least a couple of eggs a day. They are a superfood because they raise the good cholesterol in your body and are full of delicious antioxidants. They are also full of high-quality proteins, vitamins, and good fats. Therefore, you should consume a couple of eggs to have a healthy diet every day. Try and eat one in the morning; you could either have a boiled egg, a fried egg, or an omelet. A tip for consuming more eggs is to use at least three when you are making an omelet. It will make it more fluffy and delicious and will help you to get your recommended intake of eggs.
Limit your bread intake
If you want to eat a healthier diet, you should consider limiting your bread intake every day. Bread is full of so many carbs that it can become quite unhealthy if you eat it more than once a day. Try and think of other healthier foods to enjoy at lunch time rather than a sandwich. Have a delicious salad full of chicken and grains to maintain a healthy weight. Here are some other tasty lunch ideas you can try and make to be healthier. If you want to eat bread still, try and have it only once a day. And you could try other healthy breads such as soya or rye bread.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Another tip for eating a healthier diet every day is to consume a delicious breakfast every morning. We know in the modern world it can be difficult to fit breakfast into your busy schedule. But it’s so important if you want to start the morning in a healthy way. It will ensure you don’t decide to snack part way through the morning on a pack of potato chips. You should cook something filling as well, rather than a small bowl of cereal. Have a delicious omelet or a porridge if you want to stay full for hours.
Always have salad at meal times
If you want to eat a healthier diet every day, you should always serve salad at meal times. It will mean you will be able to have some vital nutrients so you can help to maintain your weight. It will also stop you from getting up and going to get some leftover dinner as you can fill yourself up with salad. Remember to make the salad more appealing by adding a great sauce. Here are some other ways to make the salad more delicious.
Drink more water
You need to ensure you are drinking more water every day if you want to stay healthier. It can help you to maintain a healthy weight. It can also mean you won’t get hungry throughout the day if you are filling up with water. It can help other parts of your body such as your skin if you drink more water.
If you want to eat a healthier diet every day, you should remember to allow yourself to treat yourself now and again. If you don’t, you will end up craving unhealthy food and could end up eating too many fattening foods in one go.
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | May 28, 2016 | Fitness, Review |
Hello Beautiful People,
Do your muscles feel a little tight after an intense workout?
I work out regularly, usually three to five times a week. My routines include Zumba, Daily Burn, The Firm, and free weights. With the intensity that I work out, my muscles can get sore and tight. Sometimes I don’t even know that I am tight until the next day or if I use a massage stick on my muscles. I have been looking to purchase a foam roller but I selected the BYCFITness Muscle Roller Stick. This muscle stick has nine spindles that work independently as I roll it up and down the muscle area that I want more stretch. However, the stick can be used for so much more. The stick is plastic and measures 18 inches long and when I roll the stick there’s a good rubber grip on each end. This product has 168 five stars and retails for $19.99 on Amazon.
JT stretching out her thigh with the stick
The BYCFItness Muscle Roller stick details on Amazon.com
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- PEAK FITNESS AND THERAPY TOOL – Highly Recommended by Professional and Amateur Athletes (Marathon Runner, Swimmer, Cyclist, Gymnast, Ballerina…),Personal Trainers,Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Yoga Instructors, Pilates Instructors, and more.
- DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE to Release Muscle Tension & Tightness, Reduce Work-out Pain & Soreness, and Increase Circulation- Improving Your Overall Flexibility and Mobility.
- FINALLY RELIEVE PAIN in those Hard-To-Reach Areas in Your Back, Legs, Hamstrings, Calves, Feet, IT Bands, Shoulders, etc. Also Helps Relieve Sciatica, Plantar Fasciitis, Trigger Points, Cramps, and more.
- SUPERIOR QUALITY AND DESIGN: Nine Individual Pressure-Sensitive Rollers Wrapped Around a Solid Steel Core Create a Durable, Easy-to-Use, Lightweight Tool That’s Perfect for Both Home Use and Travel. Toss in Your Gym Bag and Go!
- EXTRAS: Free E-Book Included with Purchase – Learn Proper Techniques to Maximize Efficiency and Prevent Mis-Use. *100% Satisfaction Guaranteed* – Backed By Our Free Lifetime Warranty. Save Yourself the Time and Hassle of Going Through Cheap, Flimsy Imitators – Buy Now with Confidence
JT using roller after Zumba
When purchasing a muscle stick, you will receive a free e-book that shows you exactly how to use the stick correctly. I highly recommend this product if you regularly exercise with weights or do high-intense cardio workouts. Your muscles are bound to be sore or tight. Your muscles will thank you for it. If you have any questions about your exercise routines or if the stick is right for you, please consult with your doctor first.
DISCLAIMER:
Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com received the BYCFItness Muscles Roller Stick at a discounted price in order to write this review. We received no monetary compensation to write this review. All opinions are strictly our mine.
by | May 25, 2016 | Blogging / Technology, Review |
Hello Beautiful People,
Blessings to you!
Recently, I was leisurely spending a Saturday afternoon reading an e-book on my iPad2, when suddenly a pop-up window comes up saying that my storage was full. Super Big Bummer! When that menu appears, I have to do an overview of what I have on my iPad, from the apps, to music and photos. I have to look through everything and delete what is taking up too much space, or delete apps that I don’t need or use any more. Why do you have to do that you say? Glad you asked! Because my iPad2 has only 16GB of storage and anything over 12GB is too much if I have to do an update on the operating system. Unfortunately, that is my only option I have at the moment.
For about three weeks, Verizon Wireless provided me with an opportunity to demo the new iPad Pro (9.7 inch) with 32GB of memory. I wanted to demo a iPad with at least 32GB to see if made a difference and that I wouldn’t be seeing that annoying pop-up menu and more.
The moment I took the new iPad Pro out of the box, I noticed a difference. The iPad Pro 9.7″ is thinner and slightly smaller than my iPad 2. It is almost light as a feather, weighing at just one pound on our scale; while officially Apple notes that the weight is 15.36 ounces – about the same. The iPad Pro 9.7″, protected in a case, will easily fit into a medium to large purse or tote. There is no concern that this tablet will weigh you down.
Weighing in at just one pound, this iPad Pro delivers a powerful punch.
I really enjoy the iPad Pro. Can’t you tell from my expression on my face? Can you see that the iPad Pro is smaller than the case my iPad2 fit in? Again, lighter and thinner, simply genius.
JT not wanting to give the iPAD Pro back after the demo period had ended.
With 32GB of memory, I have sufficient storage to keep all the apps that I want on the tablet, without having to delete any of them when a new update is needed to the operating system. I added several more new apps and still had enough storage to add my music and photos. In addition to the fun things that the iPad can do (music, Siri, photos, and videos), I also have my brain apps to challenge my mind. When my hubby and I bought the iPad2, we thought that 16GB would be enough storage; but we soon found out that this was not the case. And now, the new iPad Pro doesn’t even come in a 16GB option. I guess Apple knows that 16GB is way too little since the operating system continually eats away at the storage amount.
Brain Games on the iPad Pro. It’s not all fun and games for me.
It amazes me that a device so small and so lightweight can deliver with such powerful capabilities. If you have never experience the joy of using an iPad, I recommend that you give this one a try. From the 12MP built in camera, to the 10 hour battery, to the newest Retina Display, to Garageband already installed this iPad does not disappoint. But I was a little (okay a lot) disappointed when I had to return the iPad Pro back to Verizon. I definitely will be in the market to purchase the new iPad Pro with the 32GB or more storage space. And then I won’t have to be struggling with my current iPad and seeing which app I need to delete when the new updates are ready to be installed.
DISCLAIMER:
Verizon Wireless provided <BubblingWithEleganceAndGrace.com> with an iPad Pro (9.7 inches) to demo for 21 days in order to write this review. I did not receive any monetary compensation to write this review or gifted an iPad Pro. All opinions stated in this review are strictly my own and not that of Apple or Verizon Wireless.
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