Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Breakfast Options




So it's either oatmeal w/ fruits or pancakes topped w/ fruits and sugar free breakfast syrup that I have for breakfast. I teaked my pancake recepie and now it is just perfect. it is used to be a bit stiff now it is moist and delectable.

I'm Back Again!



Hello guys! it is good to be back. I was extremely busy these past few months and I could not wait to be back blogging. I must say that I am getting better w/my make-up, I finally got the eyebrows thing down and now I am playing around w/ eyeshadows. On these pics I have on my eyes Maybelline Eyewear trio in Golden heart. I did not like the brow highlight from it so I used my M.A.C brow highlight in Maple. I am still looking for lipstick/lipgloss that will go great w/ my lips, here I have on M.A.C BBQ lip pencil, What a Do! lipstick and Beaux lipglass.
It's good to be back!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Caruso Steam Rollers


I bougth them at the begining of my hair journey and now that I am natural I don't know if I can still use those rollers. Any naturals used these steam rollers and got some decent results? Please let me know.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Avoid Unwanted Snacking

Don't cancel out all your hard work by snacking on calorie-laden foods. Here are seven easy ways to help you say no to all your guilty pleasures:
  1. Down eight or more glasses of water a day.
  2. Eat five to six planned, well-balanced meals a day.
  3. Load up on fiber.
  4. Never eat from the bag! Put your food on a plate or bowl.
  5. In the morning, plan out what you are going to eat for the rest of the day, healthy snacks included.
  6. Keep a food journal.
  7. Find a weight loss partner you can consult with daily about what you've eaten.

**source: Oxygen magazine**

Get Up and Go w/ JNL

Here we go again w/JNL! Today she gives us her top three tips to train triceps and shares her Banana Split Protein Shake recipe as an alternative to a regular banana split. Enjoy!

EnKore!


I had the opportunity to go to a make-up seminar hosted by the one and only EnKore of EnKoreMakeUp onYoutube. He is such a great person and a fabulous make-up artist! I had so much fun learning tricks and tips from him. I am a newbie at this make-up thing (that I enjoy so much now) and I was so happy when he complimented me on my make-up! Someone even asked me if I were a make-up artist! I really like a natural look w/ nice colors to enhance the look. I even bought some make-up from MAC which were are discounted prices, I had so much fun. I will def share the tips that I learned from him with you.






Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I did it! The Big Chop!







I was so itching to cut my hair today, so much that after work I went to Sally's Beauty Supply to purchased a pair of hair shear scissor. I got home and started to trim and I went for it: I cut off the relaxed ends! boy do I feel awesome! I transitioned for 6 months.






Tuesday, March 3, 2009

My Leg Routine

These are my favorite exercises I do when I train my legs. During "Leg Day" training, I will do 4 sets of 12-15 reps of each exercise w/ light to medium weight.

STIFF-LEGGED DEADLIFT


LYING HAMSTRING CURL


LEG PRESS


BARBELL SQUAT
**pics: courtesy of oxygenmag.com**

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Workout/Training Schedule Update

So I decided to workout Mon-Fri taking a couple of classes at my gym and the rest of the time to workout following the "carry-along principle" (will review it in a future post)
Mon- Athletic Training (class)
Tues- Strength Training (class)
Wed- Total Body Workout w/ Leg/Back Targeting while incorporating cardio (jump rope)
Thur- Total Body Workout w/ Shoulders/Triceps Targeting while incorporating cardio (jump rope)
Fri- Total Body Workout w/ Leg/Back Targeting while incorporating cardio (jump rope)
Sat- Active Rest Day
Sun- Make-up day for workout missed during the week or Rest Day
This Friday though I will meet w/ a personal trainer: I received a coupon to have one free 50min consultation w/ a personal trainer @ my gym which I am excited about!
When I do the total body workout, I pretty much train my weakest parts (shoulders, triceps, back and legs) My legs are pretty much where I want them to be but I think I need more work on my hamstrings.

Get and Go with Jennifer Nicole Lee! The Importance of Cardio

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Breakfast, Snacks and Lunch, Dinner for me

I work graveyard shift and it took a little while to adjust to my schedule. (almost 2 years working graveyard) After some research I was able to establish my "eating schedule": I know that I should eat 5 to 6 small meals every 2 to 3 hours during the day. I also got into the habit of preparing my meals in advance. I start working at midnight so within an hour I'll have a protein shake: 4 oz. of water (or soymilk) mixed with BSN Whipped Vanilla or Fresh Cinnamon Roll or Chocolate Coconut candy bar protein powder. 2 to 3 hours later I will have breakfast, today is Avocado and Tomato white Egg Omelette w/ a Trader's Joe Sweet Onions and Pepper Chicken sausage. After that ( 2 hours later) I will have a protein bar. My two fav at the moment are the Cliff's 20 g protein Builder's and Muscle Milk

Around 6 or 6:30am I will have "lunch", today it is my Tofu Peanut Butter Stew w/ Brown Rice or Quinoa. I am usually in bed by 4pm so I will eat dinner by 12 noon, which will be a turkey sandwich made w/ Trader's Joe Whole Grain English Muffin, a slice of Swiss Cheese and 2 slices of reduced sodium turkey and on the side a few baby carrots.
I also workout, I changed my workout schedule to Mon-Fri. Most days after work (9-10am) I will workout after the workout I will have another protein shake.


Who is She? Alicia Marie



Alicia Marie is a formidable fitness model who has appeared on the pages of Muscle & Fitness magazine, HERS, Oxygen, Flex magazine, Ironman, Musclemag, Planet Muscle, Fitness, SELF, O Magazine, Glamour, Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness . She is also a freelance fitness writer, her articles and workouts have appeared in numerous publications such as Men’s Health and Men’s Edge magazines. She is now part of my fav fitness magazine Oxygen, she has a column there titled "Ask Alicia". She does not hold back and gives great adives/tips!
Alicia Marie is the spokeperson for BSN, the supplement company which makes my favorite protein powder/shake: whipped vanilla and now cinnamon roll, yum...

Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority


I got this book a few months back, I am learning a lot from it in terms of make-up and hair. It has lots of tips about beauty from beauty experts ranging from Lisa Price form Carol's Daughter to Frederic Fekkai for hair and Wende Zomnir (urban decay) for make-up. This book is my go-to reference for anything beauty, I get a A-to-Z glossary of terms and ingredients, a great guide to the best product. One of my fav is the Sephora's 100 must haves!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Lunch Options




Today I had some time on my hands to cook and decided to make an Avocado Egg Salad and a Spinash Frittata.

Friday, February 6, 2009

For Breakfast 2: Blackberry Waffles


So I decided to use my pancake mix to make waffles. I went to Target and got a Chefmate waffle toaster which was on sale. My waffles are as good as my pancakes!

For Breakfast: Blackberry Pancakes





I revisited my pancake recipe to make it healthier, here's what I do:
in a blender I mix 5 egg whites, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1 scoop of my favorite protein powder(BSN Whipped Vanilla!) and for a kick a handful of blackberry which made my pancakes purple(one of my fav color). So Yummy!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Get Up and Go with JNL



She is such an inspiration to me in terms of fitness, she embodies what I want to accomplish. Jennifer Nicole Lee, wife, mother of two and fitness extraodinair, went from being 70 lbs overweight to Miss Bikini. She has lots of great tips and info to help us w/ our fitness/training routine. Go JNL!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Workout Training for this week 2/2-2/7

Mon- Atheletic Training, 60 min **missed**
Tues- Strength Training, 60 min and Jump Rope, 30 min
Wed- Total Body Workout w/ Leg Targeting, 45min
Thur- Rest Day
Fri- Total Body Workout w/ Back Targeting, 45 min and Elliptical 45 min
Sat- Total Body Workout w/ Leg Targeting, 45 min and Elliptical 45 min
Sun- Jump Rope 30 min and Elliptical 30 min

Sunday, February 1, 2009

My Hair After Using Giovanni Organic Hair Care Line




Just wanted to post a pic of my hair after usingthe Giovanni hair product line. I am almost 6months into my transition to natural hair.

M.A.C Haul


I went to M.A.C a few weeks ago and I got :


  • Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15

  • Blot Powder in deep dark

I was in serious need of a moisturizer for my face. I don't think that I ever moisturized my face properly: I have combination skin and I shy away from moisturizer thinking that it will make my face even more oily. I did my research and realized that I needed to moisture my face more and properly, so I got the Studio Moisture Fix w/ SPF 15. The first time I used it, I was not too fond of its fragance it was a bit too much for me. But I got over it and like it very much. For my combination skin I got the Blot Powder to help me control the shine I get on face. I can't believe that I never heard of a blot powder before! I am a novice w/ make-up and want to master it.

My New Hair Product Regimen: Giovanni Organic Hair Care


So last Thursday I went to Whole Foods looking for a Giovanni liquid hair spray that I saw there a while back. Imagine my delight when I realized that all the Giovanni products were on sale for $5.99 instead of $7.99! The Giovanni Direct Leave-in conditioner is now my fav leave-in conditioner, I use it when I do a flat twist-out or a regular twist-out. My hair always comes out very curly and moisturized. Being the product junkie that I am, I got:


  • Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor

  • Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo

  • Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner

  • Vitapro Fusion Protective Moisture Leave-in Hair Treatment

  • Direct Leave-in Weightless Moisture Conditioner

I had the chance to try all products on Saturday. I prepoo with the Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor for 15 min w/ heat then shampoo with the Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo. This shampoo looks and feels like silk! I found it good (I am not that much into shampoos), it does not contain any laurel sulfates. I deep conditioned w/ the Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner mixed w/ rosemary oil and castor oil. I loved it! It's a keeper! After rinsing the deep comditioner out, I detangled my hair in sections w/ Silken Child Leave-in Detangler then I applied the Direct Leave-in conditioner and proceed to twist my hair to air dry it. The following day after moisturizing w/ Silken Child Moisturizing Cream and sealing w/ Vatika Frosting, I found my hair to be in great shape! Minimal breakage occured and that was what I was looking for. I will this line of products consitently for a month to really see the results.


Sunday, January 11, 2009

Products Review: MYHoneyChild, HairVeda and Qhemet Biologics


I bought these products a little while ago. From MYHoneyChild I got the Organic Shea Butter Hair Paste, the Coconut Papaya Hair Paste and the Afrikoko Silky Hair Lotion. All of which are great prodcuts and I would recommend them to anyone. From HairVeda I purchased the Whipped Herbal Green Tea Butter, the Vatika Frosting and the Whipped Cream-Ends Hydration moisturizer. Again all great products, my favorite one being the Green Tea Butter which smells so good that you would think that it is edible. Finally from Qhemet Biologics I obtained the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream ( my favorite), the Honey and Olive Hydrating Balm, the Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee and the Karkady Tea Replenishing Mist. They were part of the sample pack that I purchased. Again these products were awesome, one product that I would buy again is the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream and one that I would try is the Burdock Root Cream.

Anastasia Brows Stencils


I plan on getting this brow stencil to help me shape/create beautiful eyebrows. I did some research and found out this would be great for me. I've been planning for a long time to get it. Once I get it I will do a review.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

It's ROWING Time!


When I go to the gym, I always find myself going straight to a particular machine such as the elliptical or treadmill because one, they are the most popular, second they seem easy, not complicated machines and third I’ve come to enjoy them. However, I’ve decided to try new pieces of equipment at the gym and learn what and how they can help me achieve my fitness goals. One such machine is the rowing machine. I was intrigued by it, saw others use it and decided to give it a try and to learn more about it. Verdict: I will definitely use this machine for my cardio work out! Researching about this machine I found these facts:

  • Rowing unites aerobics and resistive exercise slashing workout time in half. It triggers 86 percent of the muscles, stresses the heart and lungs, and overworks core muscle.
  • Rowing helps with fat loss, builds up curvy and sleek muscles, and builds stable core muscles that improves appearance and prevents back pain.
  • Rowing is a whole-body exercise that builds cardiovascular and muscular fitness. However, if done incorrectly, rowing can cause severe overuse injuries that can damage the back, hips, knees, elbows and shoulders.

So let’s give it a try and if you don’t know how to use this machine ask a trainer on duty(@ the gym) to show you.

Monday, January 5, 2009

I'm Back w/ Updates!




Hey ladies! Sorry I've been M.I.A, had some issues w/ my computer and camera. But everything is back to normal. I have updates for my hair: next month will mark my one year of continuously taking great care of my hair. I am very amazed and pleased with the result! I've also decided to transition to natural! My last touch up was in August 2008.
The pic at the bottom was sometimes in March 2008 and the one on top was Jan 2009, the the pic stops is where my longest strands stop. Sorry, I wore a dark color shirt; also I was blowdrying my hair when I took the pic.
Now I need to step up my make-up to go w/ my hair!