Friday, January 31, 2014

The Skinny on me....

Back on New Years Eve after our fondue dinner I decided that I wanted to make 2014 a year of healthy. I've never been one to make New Years resolutions but keeping up with five children keeping myself healthy is a number one priority. We all know the saying, "If mama ain't happy, then nobody's happy" well it's also "If mama ain't healthy, then it all falls to pieces." Here in our house I'm basically the CEO of Stewart de Casa and I run a pretty tight ship unless I'm sick (or pregnant, lol). Last year being pregnant made both of us realize how much I do, do because my husband had to pick up the slack. I'm also no spring chicken and knocking on 40's door in three years. I've noticed that getting down on the floor to play with babies takes a lot longer for me to get up or recover than it did when older B's were babies, lol. So I decided that I would start my own 31 day challenge. Thankfully I lost all my pregnancy weight in the summer. Now I needed to drop the weight I gained before I found out I was pregnant. The first thing I did was have a FITBIT Flex on Amazon shipped to me (gotta love Prime shipping!). The second thing I did was go to MyfitnessPal and start an account to start a food diary.

Goals:

  • Lose 25 pounds by the twinlets first birthday. Seemed like a reasonable goal!
  • Drink MORE water! 
  • Start each day with warm lemon water opposed to coffee. Did you know drinking warm lemon water gets your digestive track moving and helps your liver? Did you know that without your liver functioning properly, it can't pump filtered blood back to the heart? You do now, so start drinking some lemon water..your liver will thank you! :) Now don't get me wrong as soon as that lemon water is gone, I have that hot cup of joe!! Gotta have the joe!
  • NO SODA... not even diet.... :(  I don't drink a ton of soda but man I LOVE diet coke. Bad Kriss! It's soooo bad for you and I decided that I wouldn't pump my body with essentially poison anymore. 
  • If I felt like I needed soda, I would carbonate water using a Soda Stream and add it to my healthy drinks. 
  •  Add extra leafy greens to my diet and measure out my protein portions
  • Stay between 1300-1600 calories a day
  • Take my Shaklee Vitalizer vitamins, Vivix and Flavomax (Flavonoids are so important! Flavonoids are parts of the plant that you normally don't consume. It's anti viral, anti cancer, anti inflammatory!)
  •  Cut as much refined sugar and fat out of my diet as I could.
  •  Still allow food in moderation... ummm can't give up my mint chocolate chip icecream :) I will eat salad all day long if that means I can have a 1/2 cup of icecream nightly!
  •  Get aleast 8000 steps a day on my fitbit. Having small babies sometimes doesn't allow for cardio like I would like, so I do it here and there and just try to be active overall. 
 SO here I sit on Day 31 and I am excited to report that I did it and it paid off!!!!
I lost 11 POUNDS! Holy cow! Lost 3/4 of an inch on my neck, 2.5 inches on my waist and 1.25 inches on my hips. Whooohoooo!!!! I feel so good!!! Besides losing weight the best part is my hubby decided to join me in my health quest. He ordered him a fitbit and is eating salads and healthy right along with me as well as taking the Mens Vitalizer and Vivix!!
 Tomorrow I will start another 28 days! What am I going to do differently... I am going to add in some strength training!! 14 pounds to go before I hit my goal!
Are you motivated to work on your health? If so I would love to hear what your doing or what helps you!! Leave me a comment or your blog address so I can follow along! 
Thanks for reading My Journey to Happy! -Kriss :)
 
 

Newest Shaklee Offer

Join Shaklee for Free and Get Free Goodies

{February Must Have Deals}


I love helping others and love it even more when the word FREE is involved!!  Who doesn’t love free?   Well, if you love free and saving money, listen up… this is a NEW SPECIAL that was never offered before! When I found out about this deal, I was in total shock!! 
Order now because this won’t be around for long.
Shaklee Feb Specials shaklee fall in love banner

Ok, here’s the skinny on the deal….

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When you join Shaklee as a Member/Distributor, you will get:

 New Members who join Shaklee under this offer with a minimum 50 PV (examples below) purchase will receive free $19.95 Membership as well as a free Shaklee product – a canister of Shaklee 180® Café Latte Energizing Smoothee (while supplies last) through 2/28!

OR

New Distributors who join Shaklee under this offer with a minimum 50 PV (examples below) purchase will receive a free Shaklee product – a canister of Shaklee 180® Café Latte Energizing Smoothee – and they have the opportunity to sponsor new people under this same lucrative offer through 2/28!

***

What does this mean for you?

This means LOTS of savings.  In fact, you will save about $67 and I always offer a free product to my members within their first 30 days of joining with my Earn & Learn Program.  So, you could save almost $100 while you get healthier!!! Plus, get discounts and join our fantastic online Shaklee family – You’ll love it!

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So, what qualifies for all this goodness, a free membership, discounts, free smoothie mix, and our awesome community?

Shaklee is offering this with a 50pv order.  Since you have no clue what pv (point value) is, I put together some must have products that would qualify you! (Pick one product(s) in a group from below to qualify.)

Order this:

 

Get Clean Starter Kit

shaklee-get-clean-starter-kits

With these products I personally was able to remove my son Ben from TWO allergy medications, a steroid as well as a steroid cream!! 
We believe that health isn’t just about what you put in your body, it’s about everything around you. We bring you a full line of natural and nontoxic cleaning choices that are Safe for You, Your Home, and Your Planet® called Get Clean®.
No harmful fumes or hazardous chemicals.
Outperforms 20 national leading brands.
You would spend $3400 for ready to use cleaners to get the same amount of clean found in the Get Clean Starter Kit!*
Features Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate – just 1/4 tsp. makes 16oz. of all-purpose cleaner for only 3 cents.
And when you purchase the Get Clean Starter Kit you also make a positive impact on the planet:
Keep 108 pounds of packaging waste from landfills.
Eliminate 248 pounds of greenhouse gas.
The Get Clean Starter Kit contains:
  • Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate, 16 oz. (1)
  • Germ Off Disinfecting Wipes, 35 Wipes (1)
  • Nature Bright® Laundry Booster and Stain Remover, 32 oz. (1)
  • Dish Wash Concentrate, 16 oz. (1)
  • Dish Washer Automatic Concentrate, 32 oz. (1)
  • Fresh Laundry Concentrate HE Compatible, Regular Scent  32 oz. (Liquid) (1)
  • Soft Fabric Dryer Sheets, 80 sheets (1)
  • Dish Washer Automatic Concentrate Dispenser (empty) (1)
  • Nature Bright® Dispenser (empty) (1)
Including all the accessories you need to get really clean:
  • Organizer Caddy (1)
  • Spray Bottles (3)
    • Windows and Mirrors
    • All-Purpose
    • De-greasing
  • Dropper Pipette (1)
  • 1/4 oz. Dispenser Pump for 32 oz. Bottle (1)
  • Laundry Measuring cup (1)
  • Dual Measuring Spoon (1)
  • Cleaning Accessories (4)
    • Super Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
    • Super Microfiber Window Cloth
    • Super Microfiber Dish Sponge
    • Miracle Scrubber Pad

 Enfuselle® Repair Skin System


Clinically Proven To Improve Your Skin

The results are in!  The Enfuselle Repair System is clinically proven to improve your skin in as little as a month.  You’ll see and feel the difference immediately
Includes Time Repair A.M.® SPF 15, C+E Repair P.M.®, and Dispensing Pump.
Paraben Free.
(OH MY GOODNESS…THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! I've been using it for 17 mths and my skin has never looked better!!!)
Newest selfie of me!! 


Features:
  • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by 421% in 4 weeks!
  • Increases skin firmness and elasticity by 154% in 4 weeks!
  • Definitive evening of skin tone in 12 weeks!

***

Vitalizer


Changing Brands Can Change Your Life

Vitalizer is the most advanced multinutrient supplement in the marketplace today with 80 bio-optimized nutrients clinically proven to create a foundation for a longer, healthier life.* Vitalizer is the powerful and convenient approach to complete supplementation providing the best spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-aging phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics*, all in one daily serving
(I take this EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.)

  • Custom formula created specifically for today’s healthy active woman
  • Patent-pending delivery system designed to enhance absorption of key nutrients
  • Based on 12 clinical studies and a first-of-its-kind Landmark Study
Feel better in 30 days or your money back.

***

VIVIX

This is an amazing product! I take it daily and I believe it was a HUGE contributor to us conceiving our natural pregnancy! Not only does it repair cells but it has been shown to help with PCOS in lab mice.
  • Key ingredients in Vivix have been shown in a clinical study and numerous laboratory studies to improve cell defense, cell energy, cell repair, and cell performance*
  • Delivers a broad spectrum of over 15 polyphenols—including ellagitannins, one of nature’s most potent antioxidants*
  • Ingredients that are 10X more powerful than resveratrol alone in slowing a key mechanism of cellular aging*
  • All natural—no artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors, or preservatives

***

If I were to guess the top 4 questions or objections you will have about joining as a member, they would be these:

  • How much is it to renew each year?
  • Is there a minimum each month or year?
  • What is your return policy?
  • By joining as a member, does that make me a distributor?

***

So here’s how I would clear those up for you:

  • There is no renewal fee.  It’s a lifetime membership and one time fee of $19.95  FREE for you with a qualifying order!
  • There are no minimums EVER!  You can order once a year or monthly.  It’s up to you.
  • We offer 100% money back guarantee for all products.
  • You are not a distributor and will not receive bonuses.  If you want to get paid for sharing Shaklee, you need to go here and email me.

I want you to be completely without risk, so here’s my guarantee.  If for any reason a Shaklee Product is not satisfactory, return it for exchange or full refund.

If our products are not the best they can be — and the best you can buy — what else matters?
So if you don’t experience the desired results from a Shaklee nutritional, personal care, or household product, you may return the unused portion for a 100% refund.

In addition to a money-back guarantee, we offer:

  • 100% guarantee that the ingredients listed on the label are in the product
  • 100% guarantee of quality-controlled product formulations that ensure product safety, purity, reliability, and product performance
  • 100% guarantee that we use the finest quality ingredients available

Experience the Shaklee Difference for yourself. You deserve it!

***

It’s really easy to get started. You just go to my website, fill up your shopping cart, and join as a member. (fill out application)  It is a one-time fee of $19.95.  Free with a qualifying order!

Once you decide to get started here’s what’s going to happen….

You will get a 15% discount on your order and you will receive a welcome email from me with all the details about joining our private online community.

***

If you have any questions about this or anything else, please email me at krissriley@sbcglobal.net
 I’d love to help you! :)
Kriss Stewart
P.S. If you want to partner with my Shaklee & Project Dream Team, please go here and apply! My This bottom picture are some of my partners!
healthy families

Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Years Eve

New Years Eve we decide to pull down the fondue pots and have a fun night with the kids...
We had grilled steak, chicken, applewood sausage, broccoli, and bread to dip in the cheese. I had taken a fondue class at the Melting Pot with a friend a few years ago so we used the cheese recipe I had gotten in class.  (Ben doesn't look happy because the kid HATES having his picture taken. He always has to be the exact opposite of what the other kids are doing. That's our Ben though and we love his little personality even if he is difficult sometimes, lol).
This was for the chocolate.... the pound cake was like butter. It melted in your mouth and we all fought over it. :)

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Christmas Day

Christmas Continued.....

The kids woke us up around 7:45 and weren't real happy with us that we needed to feed babies first (and make a cup of coffee). That actually went pretty fast and we are able to dive in! I didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped because the boys were jumping beans and just all over the place excited about their new toys. We tried to keep things a little smaller this year for them to open because of their big gift. The older boys each got a large Lego set, Lego Batman Wii, real walkie talkies, scooters, some art supplies they wanted, some Magic Tree house books and Lego books. Britney got Lego Friends, Bath & Body Works, a dress to wear to a wedding, her first heels (she wanted these so badly), some Dolphin books (she is really into Dolphins and Mermaids), and some riding boots. Then all three of them each got a Kindle Fire 8.9 with cases and protective screens!! The baby B's got stacking rings, teething toys, baby silverware and some mesh feeders.

Riley and I had a good Christmas too!!! He surprised me with a beautiful ring with the boys birthstone, at home "laser" hair remover (me power - more on that in another post to come), Vera Bradley purse and matching wallet I had my eyes on, some crafting tools I wanted, some Benefit eyeshadow, and a Skagen ceramic watch!




For Christmas dinner we fixed Prime Rib, homemade mac & cheese, bacon peas, homemade rolls, cranberry orange relish, and a beautiful salad with homemade ranch dressing. For dessert Riley's mom made three different kinds of pies. Although Riley and I had something come up and we didn't get to enjoy pie with our kids which was very upsetting but we made up for it the next day.

Brit opening the heels she wanted...




Christmas Eve 2013

My husband took the older B's to Costco, Britney is resting after a slumber party at her Aunt Kelle's and the babies are napping...... yay, I finally have time for a post!!

I can not believe Christmas and New Years is already over! It seemed like it came so fast! Every year I think Christmas is special but this year we really had a great time! The kids are old enough to know traditions and make sure we stick to them, lol. We did change it up a little this year though with babies. We normally do Star Bucks, light watching and visit Santa (our neighbor dresses up as Santa for all the neighborhood kids), watch a movie, leave cookies out for Santa and then to bed. This year we decided it might be better to do those things on Monday instead of trying to cram it all it on Christmas Eve with babies. So on Monday during the day the kids I baked all day long. We made three kinds of fudge, white chocolate cranberry cookies, gingerbread dough and peanut butter blossoms. The boys are my true bakers in the house. Brit was more interested in watching a movie and eating the desserts later, lol. That night we went and looked at light and then came back to snuggle and watch Home Alone. I have seen that movie a million and one times but to watch it with my older boys cracks me up. They laugh hysterically at the scenes where the robbers are getting whipped by a little kid. Christmas Eve was all about relaxing! My brother and sister in law came over to exchange gifts with the kids. My brother smoked a tasty brisket and then left me all the the leftovers. Talk about one happy girl! I feel like Bubba Gump because I have made so many tasty dishes with that brisket... brisket tacos, brisket sandwiches, huge bake potatoes topped with cheese and brisket... I could go on and on... lol! After they left I made a ton of gingerbread men for the kids to decorate that night! Aftewards Brit and I practiced braiding her hair in a new way I saw on Pinterest! We planned the evening perfect because we managed to get in dinner, cookie decorating, santa visit, and then bedtime!

Here are a few pictures throughout the Christmas Holiday and Christmas Eve!

Brit before her Christmas ballet recital:

















Out Christmas Shopping/Stopped to feed Brennen

Teacher Gifts:





















Baking:



Christmas Eve:







 SANTA CAME!!!!!