Saturday, June 22, 2013

Vaped Crusader

      It's been a little while since I've blogged, but i had to share my new favorite thing. Vaping. I know, I'm a bit behind the times, but I'm a little slow on the trends. I ordered an express kit from http://ivape.net/, as well as a few cute tanks, or "clearomizers", which include the mouthpiece, or "drip tip", and the atomizer that turns the eliquid into water vapor. I plan to use this as a method to quit smoking. I love that nicotine helps me with my anxiety, because I hate pills. But I also hate smoking. I've been smoking for almost 13 years, now, and i always feel like I'm poisoning myself. But I've never been a heavy smoker, so I'm hoping I'll be able to kick the habit, for good. 
     I also ordered a bunch of eliquid, or ejuice, from http://www.mister-e-liquid.com/. There were a lot of flavors to choose from, as well as several sizes, several options for pg/vg ratio, and several nicotine strengths.n Pg/vg ratio refers to propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. A lot of places suggest various ratios, usually around 30%pg, but I have heard/found it safer to go with 50/50. Most people switching from smoking are going to want a good throat hit, and a lot of vapor, to feel the pleasuring effect of smoking a cigarette. The vg is your source of vapor, where your pg can effect the taste. Too much vg can make a juice thin and runny, even risk leaking, whereas too much pg can make an ejuice too thick, and not produce much vapor. When choosing nicotine content, you can choose zero, for someone who just wants to vape along for the awesome variety of flavors, and the fun of making "smoke" rings, 8mg for the social/occasional smoker, 12mg for the light smoker, 18mg for the medium/pack-a-day smoker, 24mg for the 2-packs-a-day smoker, and 36mg for the hardcore chain smoker. I decided to go with the 18mg. i'm a light smoker, but I was wary of vapor being able to calm my anxiety. I haven't tried the 18mg, yet, but I'm hopeful. I will include some links to more awesome vape sites, below. Happy vaping!



Monday, June 3, 2013

Fit as a- well, not a fiddle, exactly. Maybe, like, a cello...

     I've been trying a site called https://www.fitocracy.com, and I love it, so far. When I first took a look, I dug the concept, but it didn't pull me in. then i saw it working for a friend, and decided to give it another try. Fitocracy gives you points for the exercise you do, and you can go up in levels. You can posts statuses, join group discussions, learn about terminology, ways to get fit, techniques, and dieting. there are even leaderboards, if you're into com-petition.
     So far I'm a level 4, but, between biking to work, evening walks with my boys, and my low-impact workouts around the house, i should be leveling up, in no time!


Friday, May 31, 2013

Skin Treatments During Weightloss

This is a copypasta from http://www.sparkpeople.com, a great site for people who want to lose weight, build muscle, or just be healthier.

There is even an awesome app! - http://www.sparkpeople.com/mobile-apps.asp

Here is the original link- http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1790991

Lose inches & cellulite DIY Body Wrap and more 

Body wrapping is a therapeutic treatment that is used to detoxify the body using simple all natural ingredients. These simple readily available ingredients have been used over the years traditionally to tighten and tone the skin and help stimulate the body to rid itself of trapped toxins, excess fat and excessive trapped lymph fluids. This detoxification improves the appearance of cellulite, creates inch loss, and helps tighten and tone the skin. 

HERBAL BODY WRAP RECIPE 
Mix a cup of corn oil with 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice and 2 teaspoons dried thyme. Massage into hip, thigh, and buttock areas. Cover with plastic wrap to lock in body heat. 

(For extra results lay a heating pad over each area for five minutes) 


CLAY BODY WRAP RECIPE 

1 cup bentonite or green clay 
1/4 cup sea salt 
2 tbsp. olive oil 
2 cups water 
Boil water and add sea salt until it is dissolved. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Adjust the water if necessary to form a wet paste. Rub the mixture over your entire body and cover yourself with thin towels or a clean white sheet. Most salons will recommend that you use proper wrapping sheets as the compaction helps to squeeze the tissues together for greater results. 
Lay in the tub for a minimum of 45 min. to one hour. 
Cellulite and Fat Fighting Ingredient Tips 

Coffee Grounds 

Rub coffee grounds on cellulite/fat area before taking a shower every night. The coffee helps firm the area and lessen that "cheese" look. 

WHY? 

Caffeine is the first ingredient in most cellulite treatments. The same way caffeine gets us moving in the morning, it can also help to get our fat cells moving. This trick, employed by famous models and beauty contestants, involves rubbing warm coffee grounds into the cellulite-laden areas of your legs, using your hands or a loofah mitt. To intensify the treatment, take a rolling pin and roll the area to further smooth out the cellulite 

Another Anti-Cellulite treatment with Caffeine 
Put magazines or newspaper on the floor of your bathroom or if you would like not to mess again, get in the tub and get messy!!!!. Mix a 1/4-cup of warm used coffee grounds with one tablespoon of olive oil. Stand on the paper or sit in the tub and apply the coffee mixture to your cellulite areas using your hands or a loofah mitt. Don’t worry if a lot of the coffee mixture falls to the floor or tub; don’t worry if many coffee grounds fall as most will stick to your skin to do the trick. Wrap the area in plastic wrap and allow to remain for several minutes (for as long as you can handle it). Remove wrap and shower with warm water. This procedure is most effective when repeated twice a week. 


Drink Green Tea Daily 

WHY? 

According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition "consumption of green tea produces thermogenesis and increases energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. 
Green tea is an active ingredient used in many of the top weight loss products. When a weight loss product claims it contains natural ingredients, green tea is nearly always in the list. Did you know that? 

Essential Oils for fighting Cellulite and Fat 

Buy essential oils (they are cheap on Ebay) and use them for a massage everyday. If you hate the feel of oil, try adding the oils in a cream which you use as your moisturizer. A simple way to do this is to buy a fragrance-free lotion or cream (available at health food stores) and add 20 drops of essential oils per ounce of the product. 

WHY? 

The "bumps" of cellulite are composed of fat, cellular wastes and water. The oils used to counteract the condition improve circulation, strengthen connective tissues, encourage the elimination of wastes and fight fluid retention. 

Experiment with the following oils: (Always use a carrier oil) 

Defeat your cellulite and fatty areas with: 

Basil, birch, cedar wood, clary sage, coriander, cypress, fennel, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, juniper, lemon, orange, patchouli, pine, rosemary, and thyme. 

Always keep in mind, the essential oils need to be mixed ALWAYS with a carrier oil*. 
It is very dangerous to use essential oils on their own on your skin without mixing them with carrier oil. Please use caution 

What are Carrier Oils? 
*Carrier oils also referred to as base oils or vegetable oils are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before applying to the skin. They “carry” the essential oil onto the skin. Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. 
Examples of carrier oils are sweet almond, apricot kernel, grape seed, avocado, peanut, olive, pecan, macadamia nut, sesame, evening primrose, walnut and wheat germ. 

Special Cellulite Massaging Oil 
5 drops fennel oil 
4 drops rosemary oil 
2 drops juniper oil 
4 drops lavender oil 
Add these oils in 20 ml of carrier oil. Massage into affected area daily. 

Moisturizer Cellulite Rub 
2 drops bay oil 
2 drops lemon oil 
4 drops lavender oil 
Add these oils in 20 ml of sesame oil. Massage into affected area daily.

Cellulite Cream 
Add Algae Powder to any of your favorite body lotion/cream. This combination will help reduce cellulite and water retention and it also aids in the reduction of toxins and stress. 
Adding 2 tablespoons of this powder to your bath will leave both your body and mind free of impurities. 

CHART OF ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS 
Water Retention
• Angelica 
• White Birch 
• Carrot Seed 
• Cypress 
• Sweet Fennel 
• Geranium 
• Grapefruit 
• Juniper 
• Lovage 
• Mandarin 
• Sweet Orange 
• Rosemary 
• Sage 

Cellulite
• White Birch 
• Cypress 
• Sweet Fennel 
• Geranium 
• Grapefruit 
• Juniper 
• Lemon 
• Parsley 
• Rosemary 
• Thyme 

Circulation
• Peru Balsam 
• Benzoin 
• White Birch 
• Borneol 
• Coriander 
• Cypress 
• Blue Gum Eucalyptus 
• Geranium 
• Ginger 
• Lemon 
• Lemongrass 
• Niaouli 
• Orange Blossom 
• Black Pepper 
• Pine 
• Rose 
• Rosemary 
• Spruce 
• Spanish Sage 
• Thyme 
• Violet 

Firming
• Geranium 
• Grapefruit 
• Juniper 
• Lemongrass 
• Lime 
• Mandarin 
• Sweet Marjarom 
• Orange blossom 
• Black pepper 
• Petitgrain 
• Rosemary 
• Yarrow

Danger!

     I've recently been directed to a film called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. A man goes on a 60 day juicing kick, while traveling, and convincing other people to juice. Juicing, in this case, is described as using a juicer to turn fruits and veggies into pure juice, and drinking it as an alternative to typical meals. This is awesome, if it helps. From testimonials i have sen, people are losing weight, and their health is vastly improving. I love seeing that. But the BETTER option is going on a raw fruits and veggies kick. Raw f/v are AMAZING for your body. It boosts your metabolism, and burns calories, while getting every possible vitamin/nutrient out of the food. Juicing is cool. Raw is better. But, hey, check out Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. It's pretty inspirational.







Back, from so long

I had so many plans for this blog, and quickly forgot all about it. Today, while letting my mind wander, I thought about all of the awesome things I would love to blog. Weight/inch loss, yummy foods, fantasy weddings, adorable fashion, beautiful art, favorite music and movies, books, games, general nerdery, and lots of crafts! I would love to throw myself back into this blog, and have an outlet for my loves. Get ready, nonexistent followers, you're in for a wild ride!