Just Elizabeth Ashe
Health and Fitness

Get Fit: Take the Go Green – Get Fit Challenge

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via ecomoma

The Summer has already began, and I have been hitting the beach with the family. Soaking up the sun and enjoying the time in the water. I'm not that great at swimming  I do plan to get better at that really soon.

However, when it comes down to hanging out at the beach or at any event that requires you to show a little skin. You want to be in shape right? Well I do. I work out all the time, but lately I have just been bored with my routines, it seems to be the same oh, same oh. The other part is that with the kids home now indefinitely. I am forced to get creative and find new ways to incorporate fitness into my daily schedule.

That is why when I heard about the Green Fitness Challenge I was all over it. I love new challenges and they always seem to get me revved up again. When you have four small boys and lots to do, it can be hard to get motivated to work out.

The go green fitness challenge was started by Planetshoes.com and hosted by 30 well respected green bloggers to bring awareness to natural living and fitness. The main goal is to motivate and inspire many to get their booty up and work out.

One important reason for me doing this is because according to the U.S. Center of Disease Control 50% of women 20 years or older  are obese and more than half of these women are of  the minority such as blacks and  Hispanics. What a reality check ! This epidemic is something serious and deserves the attention that it is getting now. I know how important it is to fight of obesity, because it touches home with me since my own mom struggles with her weight and adult onset diabetes.  I encourage her all the time to be as healthy as she can because if she lost a certain amount of weight her diabetes would go away.

The go green fitness challenge would be  a boost for  her and I  to help her  become healthy.

So how do I Plan to combat the issue and take the next step. With my goal of staying( I say staying because I am already active, but I have become dormant in my activities) physically active and in shape.  We'll over the next couple of weeks I will be posting my progress and the little steps I take to get up and moving.

Some of the tools that I will be using will be pretty simple, such as fitness DVDs , dumbbells I already have, my Fitness Ball and Treadmill. I do have a membership to a dance studio to get some extra cardio , so I will be trying to incorporate all that into my routine.

The main thing that I will be using starting with week one is using my membership to Trainwithmeonline. This site has a ton of videos, print outs and workout routines that you can do from the comfort of your own home or at the gym. With out the assistance of a personal trainer. This community gives results!

You can join for free or you could sign up for about $5.00 a month to use the whole thing, it surely worth it.

So for week one:

  • I will be using Trainwithmeonline.com
  • Dvd's – Dance with Julianne – I just bought this one so I will let you know If I like it or not.

What will you be doing to get in shape and get your booty moving? I would love to know.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Fitness

Kind Nutrition Bars: O’h How I Love Them!

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kind bars

I have been trying out these new  Kind nutrition Bars Lately. Boy, do I love them. Eating nutrition bars is not something that I have been into, in fact most , brands taste very pasty, chalky and too thick for my taste. Than to top it all off they leave a nasty aftertaste in my mouth. Many nutrition or health bars contain way to much sugar, and are full of fillers and synthetic vitamins.  Synthetic Vitamins in fact are not even utilized by the entire body completely, in fact in some people it could even cause adverse reactions.

So as you can see picking out nutrition bars to eat was never high on my list. Than one day I was in health food store and on the isle I saw these kind bars. These bars kept on getting my attention, I did not try them the first go around. Than the second or third time I went back to the store I decided to give them another try. I am so glad I did. I ended up trying their peanut butter and chocolate combination the first time around.  Man did I fall in love in love with these kind fruit and nut bars, they taste so good!

It was like eating a sneaker bar, but not as sweet.

If that gets you thinking.

I have never tasted a nutrition bar packed with so much deliciousness.

To top it all off, these bars are made with:

  • Ingredients you can actually say.
  • Filled with only non GMO (genetically modified organisms).
  • Very, very low sugar content.
  • Very low calorie content if you count calories, how ever I follow a (traditional foods way of eating). So counting calories is irrelevant to me.
  • KIND's all natural whole nut & fruit bars put an end to hunger by delivering all-natural nutrients like fiber, protein, calcium and iron. (I know this for a fact because when I snack on them in between meals, I don't get hungry or experience a drop in my blood sugar levels. )
  • According to a Yale Study, snacking on two kind bars a day can help with naturally suppressing your appetite and reduce overeating.
  • The Kind Bars are high in Fiber.
  • Filled with a ton of all natural protein, with no chemical additives.
  • Completely Kosher!
  • Even Gluten free!

These kind power bars, kind snack bars whatever you want to call them is just what its name implies.  They impart a kind  holistic way of making food and that is better for your health.

Not to mention the fact, they come in all kind of flavors! From Macadamia and Apricot, to almond and coconut. To peanut butter and strawberry, and the list goes on. They include three lines.The Fruit nut line,  the Kind Plus Line  which is packed with a nutritional boost,  than last but not least the healthy grains lines. Filled with ingredients such as whole grains amaranth, quinoa, oats, millet and buckwheat.

Totally a health benefit.

Since I found these kind nutrition bars I have loved them and will continue to eat more. They have become a staple for myself and family and great to give to kids.  I feel as if I have finally found my one true nutrition bar.

When you get a chance give Kind  a try, I promise you will love them.

Ready to give them a try, check them out here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty

DIY: Homemade Citrus Facial Scrub

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citrus facial scrub

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Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit, offer a number of benefits. The alpha hydroxyl acids naturally exfoliate our skin and citrus has astringent, antiseptic and detoxifying effects on the skin. Additionally citrus scents can be relaxing and refreshing, leaving you feeling quite pampered. Here are three homemade spa treatments with citrus fruit that you can do at home.

Relaxing Citrus Spa Bath

Grab two oranges and two lemons, dim the lights and if you choose, light a few beeswax or soy candles – it’s time to pamper yourself. Slice the oranges and lemons into ¼ inch or smaller thick slices. Run a warm bath and drop the slices into it just before you settle in for a refreshing and cleansing soak.

Citrus Mask

Combine one medium-sized papaya, the juice from one lemon, and a teaspoon of honey in a blender on low speed until you have a smooth cream or paste. Transfer to a small container. Wash your face and dry it. Apply the mask, leave on for thirty minutes and rinse clean. The natural fruit acids will exfoliate your skin and leave your face feeling smooth and radiant.

Milk Cleanser and Lemon Toner

In a small bowl, combine one teaspoon of powdered milk and one teaspoon of water, then mix until you have a smooth paste. Apply to your face and neck. Apply the mixture to your face in small massaging circles. Rinse, dry and squeeze one small lemon into a clean container. Apply lemon juice to a cotton ball and apply to your clean skin. The lemon juice serves as the perfect toner to your clean, non-oily milk cleanser.

Citrus/Almond Scrub

Scrubs are a great way to exfoliate dead skin from your face, elbows, knees and other rough areas of your skin. The lemon juice and zest in this recipe adds a nice invigorating scent and helps exfoliate.

You’ll need:
* 3 almonds
* The zest from 1 lemon
* 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon honey

Directions
Grab a clean coffee grinder or food processor and ground up your three almonds. Zest a lemon and add that to the food processor or coffee grinder. Pour ground mixture into a small bowl and add lemon juice and honey. Mix until combined and you have a lemony, yet coarse cream. Apply the mixture to your clean and dry face, massaging in a circular motion to lift and remove dirt and dead skin. Rinse clean with warm water.

Citrus is often used to lighten hair during the summer by taking advantage of a chemical reaction with the sun that lightens the hair. It’s also used to exfoliate rough elbows and knees by simply halving a lemon and rubbing on the rough spots.
Citrus, in short, offers a number of beauty benefits naturally. It invigorates with its natural and appealing aroma and enhances any home beauty regimen.

Enjoy!




Product Vault Reviews

Griffin Remedy Restorative Shampoo: A Review ( Miracle in a bottle )

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griffin remedy It's time for me to reveal the one shampoo that has totally swept me off my feet. Griffin Remedy Restorative shampoo is the best shampoo I have tried thus far for my type 4 hair. This wonderful shampoo in a bottle is the one shampoo that my hair just loves. When I am not washing my hair to clarify it. I use this one cream based shampoo all the time.

Griffin Remedy's Restorative Shampoo is a gentle cream based shampoo for dry or damaged hair. Not to say that my hair is damaged but it does get dry and can become prone to breakage. Which is pretty common for type 4 hair if you do not take care of your hair properly. I have used many other cream based shampoos in the past, and they were eh, ok. They did the job and I still use them from time to time.

However, this one shampoo is the bomb!

If you have type 4 hair or not you should try this shampoo. It makes washing your a breeze with or without doing a pre-poo to your hair. Because Griffins Remedy's Hair products are cream and oil based, it makes finger detangling your hair a breeze in the shower. Although I de-tangle my hair before I get in, it keeps my hair separated and prevents it from knotting up again. Through out my whole hair process of wash and style.

The shampoo comes in 8 fl oz bottle, which is the only drawback for me. I love this product so much and I hope they start selling larger quantitys soon. That way I won't have to stock up so much on them. .But either way, I love it.

Griffin Restorative Shampoo is a cream based shampoo like I said before. Which helps to cleanse the hair while restoring moisture, softness, and manageability. The shampoo has Shea butter and macadamia nut oil for luster and lavender essential oils for soothing whiles you wash your hair. My hair is consistently refreshed after washing my hair due to the aromatic oils.

Another Benefit of this shampoo is that it contains No Parabens, Sulfates, or harmful Chemicals which could be harmful to all types of hair. If you want to know more about Parabens and Why I avoid them as much as possible you can read my post here. (Parabens.) 

 

This shampoo is also vegan free!!

Here is list of some the ingredients inside the product:

  •  Purified Water
  • Coconut Oil
  • soap bark extract, soap wart extract
  • jojoba oil ( my fave oil)
  • MSM – Helps with hair growth
  • vegetable glycerin
  • Shea butter
  • vegetable proteins
  • grapefruit seed extract
  • aloe Vera gel
  • macadamia nut oil
  • Vitamins A,B,C,E
  • Biotin
  • Gur gum
  • Sea Buckthorn
  • burdock Extract
  • Calendula extract
  • Chamomile Oil
  • Rosemary Oil
  • Comfrey
  • Sage Oil
  • Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil Blend.

As you can see this shampoo has some really great stuff inside of it.

I can say one thing, I found this shampoo at a small health food store close to my home about a year ago, and I said “let me give this product a try”. Since I was still at that time searching for a staple shampoo for my hair. I am so glad I did!

Boy what a steal!

I found this shampoo at a local grass roots health food store, but you can find it amazon too by clicking here.

Happy Washing!

 

Homeschooling

Why I decided To Homeschool My Children.

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Austin Reading

 

I decided that this coming school year, I'm going to home school my children.

Well pretty much all of them.

I have four boys, and pretty much, I am still going up and down as to whether or not to have them all home with me. My boys are pretty active children and range in ages from 11, 7, 5, 3, so you see things get pretty busy around here and even I. Continue to get doubts as to whether or not I am making the right decision and if I will be great a teacher or not.

But then again, deep down something inside of me is letting me know that I am. Well to take you back a step I will let you know what has led me to this decision. My oldest son has always had trouble in school since the time he was a toddler. I still have memories of teachers telling me how unfocused he was, not organized, never sitting still, not keeping his hands to himself and the list can just go and on. I mean really are kids supposed to sit still. Toddlers at that! These were some of things I was dealing with including the long hours of conferences, the IEPS for special education children and so called programs put in place to help him.

 

What a bunch of bull!

None of that stuff worked and I knew it never would, I know my son is smart and for them to tell me he was not learning. Is a bunch of crock! When clearly I saw that the regular school system was and is not for him. From changing public schools many times, to private schools, to dealing with bullying and his trouble with making friends. I just came to my end and decided enough was enough.

It was time to take him out and home school him.

So I met with a home school consultant in the area and came to the conclusion that I should home school all my kids. This is something that has been on my mind for years, and I have always felt a little in adequate as if I was not qualified to teach my kids when clearly I know that I am . This is a journey that I am embarking on, and urge you to follow along with me. What I have come to realize is that it is my God Given right to teach my kids, and as parents it is our natural , innate duty to teach our kids. Natural learning is inherent in all kids and they will learn if we take the time to utilize tools and guide them.

However, am I scared. Hell yeah!

Am I excited, Yes indeed!

Do I love my kids and want them to have the best education they can possibly have.

No doubt!

But I always come back to The Benefits of Homeschooling and how important education is to me. I have one son in Pre-K now but almost ready for 1st grade math, and reading at pre- 1st grade level. So why would I want to put him in public school, or keep in the private school when he is so ready for so much more. My 1st grader need a little more help in math since the private school he is in completes school work a year ahead than public schools. So I feel that the math was a little too fast for him and he needs to go a little slower and at his own pace. My oldest well he needs to be home period since he has challenges all in his own. Instructional school is not for all children and surely not for my children. I don't hate schooling, I just now know. That Homeschooling is the best option for my family and I.

So how will I educate them? You might ask.

Well since I have more than one child, there are many options to consider, including homeschooling four kids of different ages.

Surely something I have thought about.

Nevertheless, I'd rather I have my children getting the benefit of an individualized curriculum tailored to their individual needs. Because when your child goes to school it is normally 20 or more students to one teacher, at least in public schools. In some areas it can be up to 30 students for each teacher. This means that children get very little of the teacher's undivided attention. Home-schooled children typically get one-on-one time and this helps them to learn more efficiently and retain what they learn.

When children lean at the natural pace it makes learning fun and teaches children to become lifelong learners. When it is just you and a couple of children you are able to take the time to let them learn things according to their own schedule and skills. Children all have different strengths and learning styles and don't understand the same things at the same time. In public school there isn't time to let the kids learn at their own pace, that's why they get so much homework. Home-schooled children do not need to meet the same unrealistic expectations.

Which means less stress for your children and you.

Another thing to consider is learning styles.

Each child learns things a different way. Many teachers only teach one way. Some children are visual learners, some learn by listening, and some learn by doing. Some teachers only teach one way which leaves the rest of the kids out.

So with homeschooling comes research and so with that I am reading the “The Well Trained Mind – A Guide To Classical Education At Home” By Susan Wise Bauer and Jesse Wise. When I tell you that this book is awesome it is freaking amazing.

Now don't get me wrong it is a thick book, but a very delightful book filled with tons of information on the whys and how's of homeschooling the classical way.

The absolute best thing about homeschooling though is the fact you get to spend so much time with your children. No teacher will enjoy your child as much as you, nor will they enjoy watching your child learn as much as you.

However, let's get to the real stuff! The materials I choose to use for my home school. From completing a lot of research based on my kids learning styles and where they are at developmentally. I chose to go with.

Peace Hill Press company for their Writing, Reading, and Grammar Curriculum.

The First Language Lessons For the Well Trained Mind-

Levels one, Two and Three .

The Complete Writer:

Levels One, Two ,Three and Four

When It comes to science we will use free resources off the internet.

  •  Art and Music they will take courses for.
  • Socialization will be through local co-op groups.

I think I have it figured out.

I guess we'll see.