Lush Cosmetics

I recently went to the mall with my aunt and she took me into this store, Lush Cosmetics to get a gift card for her good friend. While in there she asked the woman to give me a complimentary hand massage; I had no intentions of really buying anything I mean after all I am on a super strict budget. While the woman was finding out about the condition of my hands ( she really cared it seemed ) my aunt was telling another woman about my recent string of crap luck...stroke and falling.

 The awesome lady my aunt spoke to came up to me after my equally awesome hand massage and gave me a free sample of their Fair Trade Foot Lotion for my knee. I thought it was odd to be given a foot lotion for my knee but she assured me it would work for the pain in my knee as well for my temples for when I get headaches and well for any other sore joints. I tried it and low and behold it worked like a champ ! My mother tried it on her arthritic hand and it worked there as well, as swear it's magic in a bottle. Needless to say I will be back to purchase some of this lotion.

I did make a purchase while in there, I treated myself to a handmade facial mask made with all natural ingredients and it must stay in the fridge. I ended up with the Cosmetic Warrior, it has eggs, grapes, garlic among a few other things. I love this stuff, it makes my skin look and feel amazing. I cannot wait to go back to the store and try more of their products ! And they are all natural and animal friendly :-)

Vocal Point has been good to me !

I recently received a coupon in the mail from Vocalpoint to try Clairol root touch up for my hair. Since I normally do not shy too far away from my natural hair color roots was not a problem, gray hair however was ! I went to my local Target and picked out my color, and redeemed my coupon with zero problems.

When I got home I decided it would be a great time to cover up the problem area since I had a surprise party to go too in a few days. The kit came with smaller than usual amount ( for your roots only not the whole head ) I had plenty and then some. The brush was my best friend; normally hair dye ends ups everywhere in the bathroom..I have no flipping clue how I do it. Anyway with the brush I was able to apply the dye exactly where I wanted it with no issues.The only issue I had was the smell, it was a bit strong but I dealt with it. Ten minutes later and it was rinse time. Easy peasy. 

Vocalpoint also sent me another free surprise.. Secret Clinical Strength deodorant. I want to start by telling you how much I love the scent of it, it's light and fresh, actually it would make a nice body spray. I put it to the test by wearing it to physical therapy the first day and it kept me dry and smelling awesome ! The next day I tested it's "will not leave marks on your clothing " claim...it's true it left zero marks on my black top, that makes me happy since I tend to get deodorant on the bottom of my black clothing when putting it on, again please do not ask how ! All in all this deodorant will be replacing my current one since I am so in love with the scent and because I was kept dry all day long ! 

Both items were free to me, thank you Vocalpoint for being fabulous !




Before

 

Food for thought

I have been MIA since the mini stroke and fall, I do apologize for that. I started some medicine to prevent future strokes/prevent migraines/lower blood pressure and it slows my whole system down making me tired constantly. I even take 2 hour naps with the baby now and still exhausted at 8p, its ridiculous ! I feel like I am 94 instead of 34.

Speaking of the stroke, I went for an EEG.....that was weird but kind of relaxing. Felt like the nurse was massaging my head when she was sticking the electrodes on and then gently rubbed my scalp with a cloth when removing them. The trippy part was when she turned the strobe light on with my eyes closed so I saw these strange colors and shapes. That test came back normal, which brings me to my main topic tonight....food.

Since all of my blood tests and brain tests came back normal it got me thinking; why the heck do I get headaches on a daily basis and why did I have  stroke ? I am thinking it just maybe my diet. The baby eats mostly organic and I keep her away from processed foods as much as possible but do not do the same for myself. I grew up eating processed foods, it was the norm for me. I think I need to really keep everything organic for us, no GMOs, stay away from processed food and see how I feel. I am not sure if I could go fully raw, I was considering it.

I do not like taking 4 pills a day, sometimes 5 if the headache is really bad and I need the Fiorocet. I want to take zero pills and I want energy and want to feel good. I have already cut out soda and saw a 15 pound weight loss just from soda alone, imagine if I cut out the other crap ?! 

What are some of your favorite nature's candy ? Feel free to share recipes as well !! 

Till next time my friends...eat well and live well :-) 

Cheese please !

We all know I am all about sweepstakes well my ”hobby” paid off....in cheese !

I won a years supply of cheese snacks from Sargento in the form of coupons so I get to choose what I want. I also got this cool Fitbit health monitor. It's a bracelet that tracks your movement, sleep, etc and it's water proof. Pretty cool if ask me.

I would post the link to the sweep itself but the contest is over. I found it via Sweeties sweepstakes on Facebook, go check them out if you like entering contests.

My lucky streak continues....

Not ! I fell yesterday,when I say I fell I mean I slammed into the sidewalk and heard a lovely SNAP coming from my knee. Thank goodness it is not broken but it maybe my LCL.

I cannot even tell you how I fell because I have no clue. I had just gotten through strapping my little monkey into her car seat then bam next thing I know I am on the ground in an intense amount of pain. I am not sure if my knee gave out, I tripped or if my new meds just makes me tip over. I seriously need to get to the neurologist but first the orthopedic doctor.

It was the same doctor who treated me last week in the Er and he totally remembered me ! They say things happen in threes, I hope things stop at two for me, not sure how much more my poor body can take.

Stay well my friends :-)

I had a stroke

No joke, I had a mini stroke on Thursday. The technical term is Transient Ischemic Attack ( TIA ). I thought I was too young, something like that couldn't happen to me. But it did.

I had been under so much stress between learning to drive the bus ( which I passed my test and got my license but that no longer matters ) being a mom, worrying about money and it got to me. It was really scary, I got a splitting headache, it felt like my head was going to explode and then I lost my peripheral vision for several hours. I never want to experience it again. My vision is not the same, I am not sure if it is permanent or not just yet. Thankfully there was no damage to the brain or heart. I underwent an EKG, MRI,MRA and a CT scan along with blood work. Of course this required a stay at the hospital and they tell me to relax and " get some rest "...why do they say that if they wake you constantly to check your blood pressure ?! 

I am home now ( have been for a couple days ) but feel really tired. This was a life changing moment in my life. I have lots of changes to make. I need to exercise at least three times a week and I already have a volunteer to come with me ( thank you Sandra ! ) make better food choices, and cut the stress out. I cannot dwell on things I have no control over. And the things dragging me down must be cut out. Someone once told me I control my own destiny,nobody else. And it's true. I am going to live each day and enjoy every breathe I take.

:-) 

Goodies

I was a lucky recipient on the mama vox box from Influenster ! This program is wonderful and this has been my third campaign. Here is what I got;

Belvita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuit in wild berries. It was really good, pairs well with tea and portable which for me is now important. I can stash some on the bus or my purse and even Gina's diaper bag.

Dr. Scholl's For Her Comfort Insoles. I have used these in the past in heels and they rock ! Normally my balls hurt after wearing heels, of my feet that is. I slipped a pair of these insoles um my heels and they cushion the balls of your feet. NYC new black gorgeous heeled boots are screaming for these.

Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream
I am pretty picky when it comes to makeup, and I like to make sure I am taking care of it as well. With this BB cream it leaves my skin looking flawless and hides those little imperfections. The + is that it keeps working after being put on to target dark spits on my skins surface helping them fade away over time. So far so good.

Last but not least I got Annie's microwavable rice pasta & cheddar gluten free cup. I love Annie's anyway so being sent one of these was an added bonus. I wasn't so sure about the rice pasta's texture...I have this thing with textures but Gina sure loved it and we have already bought some more.

I am looking forward to my next vox box !