NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: INTENTIONS & WELLNESS TIPS | PLUS A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: INTENTIONS & WELLNESS TIPS | PLUS A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
+ WIN A $750 GIFT CARD TO AMAZON

I had a wonderful start to 2018 celebrating with family and dear friends by a bonfire on the beach with way too many fireworks (two extra-large boxes from Costco to be exact, we never thought it would end) and lots of food and drink for all! With all the fun and excitement of the New Year we must also remember that this is a time of reflection on our previous year. What can we work on going forward? What should we try to do more of or less of in 2018? What are some positive ways that we can not only do better for ourselves but for others as well? I’ve decided that this year I am done with resolutions! No more for me. We all must do what works for us and for me I just end up breaking those a few days or weeks in and then I’m done. So this year I have decided to set some intentions instead. I’m thrilled to share today my Intentions, Wellness Tips, and a Few Favorite Things for 2018. Not sure about each of you but I am definitely in need of a little detox from my trip. I enjoyed myself but I did fall off the wagon just a bit as far as my healthy eating and drinking goes. I do believe in moderation and I did still workout while on vacation (just obviously not as often as I do when I’m home) but I am ready to get back on my normal healthy track. You might remember some of my previous wellness posts: STAYING HEALTHY DURING THESE WINTER MONTHS, WORKOUT WEAR/ATHLEISURE + WELLNESS TIPS, my daily CRUCIAL FOUR MBREAKFAST SHAKE, COUPLES THAT TRAIN TOGETHER and MERRY NEW YEAR TO ALL for more information on what I do and believe in. Plus be sure to scroll all the way down the post for a chance to WIN A $750 GIFT CARD TO AMAZON. I love the timing with my latest giveaway because many items that I swear by can be purchased from Amazon website.

MY INTENTIONS FOR 2018:

• Absorb and enjoy every last moment with my oldest before she leaves for college this year. I’m still in denial and shock regarding this. Any help or tips greatly appreciated.
• Continue to travel and explore new places and old with my family because these are the times that we will remember above all others. So I pray that we keep on exploring new things and places together in 2018.
• Peace of mind and good health for all that I love.
• Always have and share empathy and compassion to those around me.
• Always be a bright light to those that I encounter, even if I am hurting inside.
• More love and laughter with those close to me.
• Read more, work less.
• Take more risks.
• Less stress, less restlessness.
• Constantly live with an open mind.
• Hope and pray for more peace.

WELLNESS TIPS + SOME OF MY ‘FAVORITE THINGS’:

Do you have some resolutions or intentions for 2018? If so, what are they? How is it going for you so far? I think we all begin the new year with thoughts of things we would like to improve, learn, be more disciplined about, or even cut out of our diets. I’ve come to realize that the best possible thing you can do starts from the inside. I try to eat well, exercise, and drink lots of water throughout the day. And every morning I start my day by drinking hot water with lemon, cayenne and apple cider vinegar. I believe this is no doubt one of the best beauty elixir’s out there.

“Amazing is one word to describe apple cider vinegar, which indeed appears to be a superfood of epic proportions, containing acetic acid (a promoter of “good” and killer of “bad” bacteria in the gut), probiotics, polyphenols, potassium, and magnesium, along with all manner of beneficial enzymes. The health claims around it (and by “it” I’m referring to raw organic apple cider vinegar with “mother”—the often cloudy-looking beneficial compounds included), range from support for blood sugar balance, weight loss, and lowered blood pressure, to antifungal and antibacterial benefits, balanced vaginal pH, increased energy, clearer skin, and appetite suppression—to name a few.” So if you aren’t already drinking it then I suggest you start tomorrow!

I also wanted to share with those of you that live in or around the Dallas area I have been going to Formula Wellness Center for help and direction with my health and wellness as well for a couple of months now. I will be posting more on this topic in the near future but for those of you that want to jump start your health and fitness for 2018 you should definitely go and check them out here and here. And of course share with them that you heard about them on SSS first! I promise it truly is a game changer. I recently discovered that two things I was eating and putting into my body every single day (almonds and eggs) I was severely allergic to. Dr. Rudman has also been helping me get my thyroid function in order as well. I am feeling so much better now its just unbelievable. Plus losing some weight but gaining muscle is an added bonus! With their Weight Loss Program they will tailor to your unique needs and goals, resulting in more sustainable weight loss. From Supplements to Vitamin Infusions to Fit Shots to Hormone Replacement Therapy they cover it all.

I also noticed recently that my hair had started thinning around my hairline when I pulled my hair back in a ponytail or off my face. I mentioned it to my hairdresser and she recommended that I try Monat. So I started using it quite a few months ago. Monat is an amazing anti aging hair care system that helps promote hair growth without any toxins! I can tell such a difference with my hair it’s truly shocking. For more information on Monat or to purchase just click this link. And please share with them that you heard about Monat here first.

Something else that I recently did and I am so very happy with and recommend is a Brow Awakening and Microblading at High Brows Eye Couture. Are you like me and over-plucked in your younger years? Do you long for the perfectly arched, natural brows you either never had or have lost? If so, this brow awakening procedure will completely change your morning routine because you will wake up feeling refreshed and awakened by your new self. And by ‘awakened’ they mean you can slightly move up the placement of your brows to give you that younger, more rested look. You will walk away with the most natural looking eyebrows, lasting anywhere from 1-3 years. This procedure includes a complimentary follow-up​ ‘Perfecting Session’ 4-6 weeks after (these pictures below shot the day after my ‘Perfecting Session’, so there is no down time but the color does lighten up over time). This company is also located in the Dallas area.

Another recommendation I have for you is to try Dry Brushing. I have grown to love this an actually missed doing it while I was on vacation. “The long-handled natural-bristle brush allows you to thoroughly dry brush every part of your body—especially your back, which feels particularly amazing (and is uniquely hard-to-reach). Designed to gently exfoliate, support circulation, condition skin, and boost the lymphatic system. Brilliant for detoxing, and equally brilliant for everyday skin-smoothing and energy-generating support. Directions: Brush very gently on dry skin in clockwise circular movements. Move from the feet all the way up the body towards the heart.”

For your face I am totally obsessed with Vinter’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum (also found here, here & here in a larger limited edition bottle). This lightweight face serum from Vintner’s Daughter has an award-winning formula consisting of over 22 active ingredients that work in synergy to firm, clear and add radiance to your skin. It deeply penetrates the epidermis to battle signs of radical damage and maintain elasticity and brightness, as well as stimulate cell turnover for a smooth, even and balanced complexion. I’m sold and already into my second bottle. I even gave it as a Christmas gift I love it so much!

Stay tuned for a new blog post, upcoming giveaway and for more information on another ‘Favorite Thing’ of mine: The GloPro Microstimulation Tool and the new Beauty BioScience Core Line. This line was developed by Beauty BioScience founder Jamie O’Banion. Just one look at Jamie and you will want to do whatever it is that she’s doing. I have been trying all of these for several months now and I can already tell a huge difference in my skin.

Today I’m wearing a brand of workout wear that I recently just discovered and cannot stop wearing called Ultracor. Like the old saying goes if you have something new and cute to wear to the gym you’re more confident and much more likely to get to the gym and workout. I just cannot get enough of their uber cool athleisure wear. My look includes the Ultracor Ulta Bolt Zip-Front Bomber Jacket (also found here & similar here & here & similar for less here & here). Paired with theUltracor Silk Knockout Star Crop Top (also found here & similar here , here & here & similar for less here & here). Both the athletic bra and jacket run TTS I am wearing a small in both. And finally, my favorite pants (with built-in panties, that you will love)Ultracor Ultra High Silk Bolt Performance Leggings (also found here, & here & similar here & here & similar for less here, here & here). These run TTS I am wearing the XS. I’ve finished off my look with my newest super springy and supportive running shoe the Addidas Ultra Boost X Sneaker (also found here). These run TTS I am normally a 7 1/2 or 8 and I am wearing a size 8.

 Photos by: MARY SUMMERS HAFNER

Ultracor Ulta Bolt Zip-Front Bomber Jacket (also found here & similar here & here & similar for less here & here)// Ultracor Silk Knockout Star Crop Top (also found here & similar here , here & here & similar for less here & here)// Ultracor Ultra High Silk Bolt Performance Leggings (also found here, & here & similar here & here & similar for less here, here & here)// Addidas Ultra Boost X Sneaker (also found here).